Jim Cramer Blog

The major market indices seesawed back and forth between positive and negative territory throughout the trading day before edging slightly higher following a two-day rally, as Wall Street weighed economic data and weak home sales prior to a speech by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke tonight. The Dow posted a modest gain to close at 13,312. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq and S&P each closed fractionally higher to end at 2,668 and 1,470, respectively. Light, sweet crude rose 39 cents on the day to close at $91.01 for January delivery. Treasury prices closed higher, while gold tumbled to close at $802.30 an ounce. The dollar gained against the euro, and declined versus the yen.

On the economic front, a report from the Commerce Department showed that gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 4.9% for the three-month period ending September 30th, its strongest growth in four years. The number was above the initial estimate of a growth rate of 3.9%. Despite the showing, the White House lowered its economic forecast for the coming year and now expects gross domestic product to grow by 2.7%. The administration's previous prediction was for a 3.1% increase. Elsewhere, a separate report from the Labor Department showed a spike in unemployment claims last week rising by 23,000 to 352,000, the highest level since February.
In earnings news, athletic clothing retailer Lululemon Athletica (Nasdaq: LULU - News) said its third-quarter profit more than tripled on earnings of $7.6 million, or 11 cents per share, versus $1.7 million, or 2 cents per share, a year earlier. Quarterly revenue jumped to $66.2 million, up from $36 million in 2006. Analysts, on average, had forecasted earnings of 8 cents per share on revenue of $63.2 million. Lululemon's stock was up 2.6% during the session.
Shares of Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD - News) were off -10.5% on the day after the company posted a sharp drop in third-quarter profit. For the period, Sears reported net income of $2 million, or 1 cent per share, down from $196 million, or $1.27 per share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was $11.5 billion, down -3% from $11.9 billion in 2006. On average, analysts were expecting a profit of 50 cents per share on $11.61 billion in sales. Subscribers can read our take on Sears Holdings in today's edition.
H.J. Heinz (NYSE: HNZ - News) announced a second-quarter profit of $227 million, or 71 cents per share, up 19% from $191.6 million, or 57 cents per share, last year. Quarterly revenue rose to $2.52 billion, up 13% from $2.23 billion a year earlier. Results were above analyst expectations looking for EPS of 67 cents on revenue of $2.4 billion. Shares of Heinz were up 0.7% at the bell. Subscribers can read our take on Heinz in today's edition.
In other corporate news, shares of E*Trade Financial (Nasdaq: ETFC - News) fell -8.7% in trading as the company announced it is getting a $2.5 billion cash infusion from a group lead by Citadel Investment Group. The embattled discount brokerage firm also announced that its CEO, Mitchell H. Caplan, has stepped down. E*Trade President and COO R. Jarrett Lilien will serve as interim chief until a new head is found.

By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: Ben Bernanke, ETFC, HNZ, LULU, Sears Holdings Corp., SHLD

The Dow finished down 83 points and the Nasdaq closed down 29 points. Macke explained to investors that the morning selling of the four horseman like Google (GOOG), Research In Motion (RIMM) and Apple (AAPL) lead the market down.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) denies reports of merger talks with United Airlines (UAUA). Adami thinks that any rally in the airline stocks should be sold. Najarian says if a merger was going to happen thinks the play would be Northwest Airlines (NWA). Airbus SAS and Boeing (BA) released a report that said this year will mark the peak in orders for airplanes. Finerman disagreed with the report and her advice to investors is to buy Kaiser Aluminum (KALU). Adami likes Honeywell (HON) for an aerospace play.
The New York Times published an article about Luluemon athletica (LULU) saying the clothing made of seaweed doesn't have any seaweed in it.
A $5 billion bond fund run by General Electric (GE) is offering investors a redemption of 96 cents on the dollar.
Asset Managers: Adami's personal favorite asset manager is Affiliated Manager's Group (AMG). He picks AMG for a baby boomer play and because it is insulated from subprime. Finerman agrees on AMG and she also likes Ameriprise Financial (AMP) and Charles Schwab (SCHW). Najarian suggests purchasing the recently punished names like PMI Group (PMI), Ambac (ABK) and MBIA (MBI).
Starbucks (SBUX) is set to report earnings on Thursday after the close. Macke says Starbucks has slowing growth and difficult comps, so the way to play this is to buy McDonald's (MCD). He mentioned that McDonald's competing directly against Starbucks in the coffee market.
Word on the Street
Crude oil closes up 3.4% to $94.30. Adami still thinks oil goes lower and he was disappointed that Tesoro (TSO) didn't trade higher with oil.
Network Appliance (NTAP) tops second-quarter profits and guides third-quarter above Wall Street estimates.
Najarian noted unusual options activity inSavient Pharmaceuticals (SVNT).
Pops & Drops
Pops - E*TRADE (ETFC) traded up 11% after CEO Mitch Caplan told CNBC that the online brokerage firm isn't going bankrupt.
iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI) traded up 2% following the Asian market rally.
Ventana Medical (VMSI) traded up 6%
MetroPCS (PCS) traded up 10%
Gilead (GILD) trades up 2% after Stifel Nicholas raised their price target to $52
Drops - Wendy's (WEN) fell 3%
United Rentals (URI) plunged 30%
Blockbuster (BBI) fell 6%.
Time Warner (TWX) fell 4% after a large block trade crossed the tape.
Disney (DIS) fell 4%
Final Trade
Macke suggests getting long the Dow30 Short Proshares (DOG) for a trade.
Adami and Najarian like EMC (EMC) off of Network Appliance's (NTAP) earnings.
Finerman likes American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) kon valuation.

Labels: AAPL, CNBC, CNBC's Fast Money, DAL, Fast Money, HON, kalu, LULU, RIMM, UAUA

Today's show started with Cramer putting on a straitjacket because the market is driving him crazy with all the wild swings going on in the major indexes. Psychiatric Solutions (PSYS) was his first recommendation of the day. It is the largest mental health service provider in the US. Cramer thinks that this stock is safe from all the problems in the market, and that it has a solid base and potential for growth. He is bullish on the stock and thinks that it could be worth up to $60.
Cramer then took some phone calls. The first caller asked for some good diabetes plays, and Cramer gave her Nastech Pharmaceutical (NSTK) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). The next caller asked about Synta Pharmaceuticals (SNTA), and Cramer said he needs to do his homework on it.
Cramer's most recent pick from "Microtrends" was Gamestop (GME) because the book says that the average video game player is now 33 years old, meaning that gamers have more money to spend on games and consoles since they are adults. Cramer also likes that the company has expanded outside the US. The stock has pulled back recently, so Cramer thinks the stock is a buy now, and that it could go up to $57.
"Sell Block." Cramer started by stating that Align Technology (ALGN) was one of his worst calls of the year since they guided earnings lower after this quarter. The next stock is Hansen Medical (HNSN), and recommends you sell so you can lock in a quick $11 gain since he recommended it, plus Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is selling its share of the company. He also asked people to sell Lululemon (LULU) and Research in Motion (RIMM).
Cramer's final trade was Celgene (CELG), and he had the COO of the company on the show to talk about the upcoming prospects for the company's products. It is down, but Cramer still likes it.
he then talked about Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and had CEO Lonnie Smith on the phone. They talked about the company's main product, the da Vinci surgical machine. Cramer thinks the stock is going much higher.
Sudden Death. Denbury Resources (DNR), which Cramer is bullish on. The next stock was Charming Shoppes (CHRS), which Cramer is bearish on. The next stock was LifeCell (LIFC), which Cramer likes. The next stock was Quintana Maritime (QMAR), which Cramer likes, along with Diana Shipping (DSX). The last stock was Delta Air (DAL), and Cramer said that he likes United (UAUA) better.

Labels: BBY. RIMM, CELG, CHRS, DNR, GME, ISRG, Jim Cramer, LIFC, LULU, Mad Money, Mad MOney Recap, NSTK, NVO, PSYS, SNTA

Bullish:
Lululemon (LULU) since it is up 53% since Cramer recommended it on August 3.
Stericycle (SRCL): Cramer has been behind this stock for a while and he's still recommending it.
Coach (COH): Cramer thinks you can get the stock at a discount right now.
Cramer likes Bunge (BG), Monsanto (MON), Deere (DE) and Mosaic (MOS)
DryShips (DRYS): Cramer is bullish.
Union Pacific (UNP): Likes more than BNI
Amazon.com (AMZN): Cramer thinks the stock is going up to $100.

Bearish:
BPZ Energy (BZP): Cramer needs to do some research on the stock and follow up.
Compellent Tech (CML): Cramer needs to do his homework on the stock and come back to it later.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI): Cramer likes the railroad stocks, but UNP more
American Oriental (AOB): Likes Bunge, Monsanto, Deer and Mosaic more.

Labels: AMZN, AOB, BG, BNI, BZP, CML, COH, DE, DRYS, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LULU, Mad Money Lightning Round, MON, MOS, SRCL, UNP

Cramer started the Lightning Round by recommending that holders of Baidu.com (BIDU) and Focus Media (FMCN) take some profits off the table. The holders of these stocks should sell half their holdings.

Bullish:
Cisco (CSCO) is a better choice than Arris Group
Procter & Gamble (PG)
AK Steel (AKS): Cramer recommended owning AKS on the potential for a takeover.
Go with Wynn (WYNN) and Las Vegas Sands (LVS) instead
Republic Services (RSG): Likes it but would go with Waste Management (WMI) is the best-of-breed stock in this space.
Altria (MO): Stick with it and buy more if it goes below $65.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG): "One of the great growers."
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX): Cramer expects FCX to go $120, but he wouldn't frown on investors taking profits.
Cramer likes Best Buy (BBY) or Lululemon (LULU) better.
Chipotle (CMG) instead of Buffalo Wild Wings
Garmin (GRMN): Cramer likes the stock, but it's up too much today.

Bearish:
Harman International (HAR): Wait until December to look at.
Arris Group (ARRS): Overpay
Global Payments (GPN): Cramer's not interested.
Melco (MPEL): Three boo's
E*Trade (ETFC): Cramer isn't bullish on the stock just yet. He said he doesn't think it goes below $9.
GigaMedia (GIGM): Cisco (CSCO) is the better play here also.
hhgregg Inc (HGG): No
Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD): Cramer thinks you should get out of Buffalo Wild Wings

Labels: AKS, BBY, BIDU, CMG, CSCO, FCX, FMCN, GRMN, ISRG, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LULU, LVS, Mad Money, MO, PG, RSG, WYNN

Labels: ACAD, CHL, CROX, GS, Jim Cramer, LULU, Mad Money, MCD, NSTK, NVDA, PCAR, SBUX, UA, WB, XING, YUM

Cramer's Index: MGIC Investment (NYSE: MTG - News), Countrywide Financial (NYSE: CFC - News), Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC - News), KB Home (NYSE: KBH - News), Centex (NYSE: CTX - News), MBIA (NYSE: MBI - News), Blackstone (NYSE: BX - News), Thornburg Mortgage (NYSE: TMA - News), Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH - News), Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM - News), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News), Citigroup (NYSE: C - News)
While Cramer says he doesn't want to be a "buzz kill," he admits it is not possible to be really bullish as long as the housing crisis persists. Cramer formed his own "index" of the above-mentioned stocks, and said when the 12 companies stablilize and the Fed cuts interest rates, it will be time to let the bulls run once again. He made a personal appeal to Fed chairman Ben Bernanke; "Cut the rates. Take the pressure off. Many, many people could be about to lose their homes, because you're not listening..."
New Age Under Armour: Lululemon Athletica (LULU)
Cramer has discovered a new Under Armour, which like its predecessor, has experienced a massive initial bounce and is expected to keep growing. Yoga apparel company, LULU came public at $18 and jumped to $31 "in one of the worst tapes I've ever seen," said Cramer. However, he doesn't think this stock is a "one trick pony" but will keep going up as UA did, because LULU has been doubling stores year over year. Since the stock is speculative and has risen, Cramer recommends waiting at least 3 days or until the price drops before buying.
Beer is Near: Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM - News)
While in the current climate, investors are dubious of even some soft goods stocks, "People drink beer no matter what." Cramer likes SAM's 13% long-term growth rate and its smart move of acquiring a brewery from Diageo for $55 million rather than building a new one, which would have cost $200 million. Although he's a self-proclaimed "Bud man" Cramer gives SAM a triple buy, even near its 52-week high.
CFO Interview: Stephen Chazen, Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY - News)
Chazen discussed production increases in Argentina and Peru; "California continues to be good for us." he added. Chazen dismissed worries about political risks, noting there are always political risks, and he remarked on the stability of OXY's chemical business. "All oil stocks are trading down in unison," Cramer said, and added now is the time to buy oil.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: BSC, BX, BZH, CFC, CTX, GS, Jim Cramer, KBH, LULU, Mad Money, MBI, MTG, OXY, SAM, TMA, WM