Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 options to watch for today.
Most Under-Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual calls.
Goldman Sachs Dec 280 Calls (NYSE:GS - News). GS' PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Most Under-Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual puts.
China Petroleum & Chemical Jan 120 Puts (NYSE:SNP - News). SNP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual calls.
Google Nov 790 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual puts.
Fannie Mae Jan 40 Puts (NYSE:FNM - News). FNM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Nastech Pharmaceutical (NasdaqGM:NSTK - News). NSTK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
Safeway (NYSE:SWY - News). SWY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Lennar (NYSE:LEN - News). LEN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: FNM, GOOG, GS, LEN, NSTK, SNP, stock options, SWY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Fastenal (NasdaqGS:FAST - News) reports earnings on Thursday morning before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.42 EPS. FAST's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB - News) should report $1.94 EPS on Thursday before the market opens. MTB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Analysts are watching for SLM Corporation (NYSE:SLM - News) to announce $0.73 EPS when the company reports tomorrow morning. SLM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP - News) is looking to announce $0.96 EPS on Thursday before the bell. PEP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
When Safeway (NYSE:SWY - News) reports quarterly results on Thursday morning, watch for $0.44 EPS. SWY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Winnebago Industries (NYSE:WGO - News) looks set to report $0.41 EPS tomorrow morning. WGO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Popular (NasdaqGS:BPOP - News) reports earnings after the close on Thursday, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. BPOP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.

Labels: BPOP, FAST, Hot Stocks, MTB, PEP, SLM, SWY, WGO

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
Gaps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that gap down by 5% or more and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that gap down by more than 5% have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.

Basic Energy Services (NYSE:BAS). BAS's PowerRating is 7.
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI - News). BHI's PowerRating is 8.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Kroger (NYSE:KR). KR's PowerRating is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Sunoco (NYSE:SUN) & Safeway (NYSE:SWY). SUN's PowerRating is 7, and SWY's PowerRating is 7.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Si International (NasdaqGS:SINT). SINT's PowerRating is 3.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ). STZ's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BAS, BHI, Hot Stocks, KR, SINT, STZ, SUN, SWY

Bullish:
Supervalu (NYSE: SVU - News):' ... is doing really well.'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): ' ... my personal favorite, which is SWY, because they've got the Blackhawk card - which is the prepaid card - that I think is taking America by storm!'ValueClick (NasdaqGS: VCLK): 'VCLK is worth $35, if Doubleclick is worth $2 billion... It's at $26 right now. So, I would tell you that VCLK has just hit the ball out of the park repeatedly ... It grows at 20%. It sells at 30x earnings. Let's pull the trigger on VCLK, just based on the Doubleclick perspective deal.'American Capital Strategies (NasdaqGS: ACAS): ' ... it does specialty finance, and it's very hard to figure out where they're invested in... It's a little bit of a black box, but they have done a very good job over time ... I am no longer critical ... 8% yield... (buzzer sounds)... ACAS is a good deal.'Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (NasdaqGS: MDRX): 'We have liked this stock for a long time. Anything that makes the medical system more friendly, more inexpensive... is a win ... I am reiterating buy right here.'United Technologies (NYSE: UTX - News): 'I like UTX very much. I think that George Dane is a great CEO. I want to pull the trigger.'Goodyear Tire (NYSE: GT - News): ' ... is fabulous here at $31. They did the pension thing ... I want to keep buying that stock.'NYSE (NYSE: NYX - News): 'Wow! The deal closes April 4th. It's at $93.'
Bearish calls:
Ahold (NYSE: AHO - News): ' 52-week high. This is a worst-of-breed company that's trying to come back from a series of tragic errors....I would take my profits here.'Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI - News): 'Look, Antioco (former CEO) is the guy who brought me to the stock... I have been suspicious. I have been skeptical... But he left! ... And I'm a seller of BBI! Sell, sell, sell!'Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: ACAD): ' ... it is making a gigantic, gigantic comeback, because of the schizophrenia drug. That's a very hard illness to deal with, very hard to cure. That's why I am saying take the gain! Sell, sell, sell.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ACAD, AHO, BBI, GT, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MDRX, NYX, SVU, SWY, UTX, VCLK

Getting Defensive: Kroger (NYSE: KR - News), Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News), Supervalu (NYSE: SVU - News), Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL - News), Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB - News)
"Subprime is the only problem," Cramer reassured investors after the "absolutely brutal" downturn on Tuesday which affected the whole market. While mortgage lenders should be suffering from subprime lending woes for awhile, Cramer remarks, "It is wrong for the Street to be so indiscriminate ... before we damn the whole market, let's remember what were damning." However, this widespread decline provides a buying opportunity in defensive sectors, such as food, drugs and utilities, sectors which historically perform well when housing is doing badly. Cramer suggests looking at KR, SWY, SVU, CL and KMB, but only after three days, since "the future on the commodity that has captured stocks -- the S&P 500 -- expires Friday, so I expect very little upside in this group until Monday."
Thank You for Smoking: Altria (NYSE: MO - News), Altria's When-Issued Shares MO-WI (MOWI), Kraft (NYSE: KFT - News), General Mills (NYSE: GIS - News), Kellogg (NYSE: K - News), Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE - News)
"There's nothing more defensive than cigarettes," says Cramer who recommends Altria's when-issued shares, MO-WI, which are comprised of pure Philip Morris stock without the Kraft spinoff. Cramer comments Philip Morris is best-of-breed and the MO-WI shares offer a higher dividend. He suggests buying before March 30th when MO-WI will rejoin Altria. Although Cramer doesn't dislike KFT, he prefers food stocks GIS, which has been "doing fabulously," K and SLE, which have more "consistent and exciting growth" than KFT.
Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW - News), Alcoa (NYSE: AA - News), BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP - News), and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (NYSE: RIO - News)
Cramer admits he has been waiting since February for DOW and AA to dip after takeover rumors which were printed a British newspaper. While he discourages speculation on potential buyouts if the fundamentals are not strong, "the fundies for both DOW and AA are pretty good." According to the rumors, Dow could be purchased by private equity firms at $60 a share, a substantial premium from its present rate of $42.94. He notes the company has a 3.5% dividend yield, has been raising prices and cutting costs. There is talk that BHP and RIO are eyeing AA at $40 billion, or $40.68 a share, while its current price is $32. The companies need the extra smelting capacity, and Cramer comments aluminum should perform better than it has been. "Buy Dow and Alcoa because when there's smoke, there's fire."
CEO Interview: Brian Roberts, Comcast (NasdaqGS: CMCSA) with Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News)
Cramer asked Brian Roberts if Comcast raised its capital expenditure in order to compete with rival Verizon, and he replied, "We upped our spending because people are buying our new products in record numbers. We're selling 50,000 phone subscriptions a week." This 30% increase "costs some money," although Roberts added these expenses will not interfere with Comcast's buyback plan; "We have bought back almost 10% of stock in the last two-and-a-half years, and we're going to continue buying back stock," Roberts said. Cramer would pull the trigger on Comcast and referred to Roberts as "money in the bank."
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: AA, BHP, CL, DOW, GIS, Jim Cramer, K, KFT, KMB, KR, Mad Money, MO, RIO, SLE, SVU, SWY, VZ

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF - News) fourth-quarter profit rose 20% as sales climbed 18% but the New Albany, Ohio, teen-wear retailer warned that first-half results would be pressured. Same-store sales in the quarter dropped 3%.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings available to common- share holders of $1.59 a share, compared with $1.18 in the year-earlier period. Revenue at the Cleveland producer of iron-ore pellets rose to $622.6 million from $468.9 million.
EDO Corp. (NYSE:EDO - News) said its fourth-quarter net profit fell 44% to $4.2 million, or 22 cents a share, from $7.4 million, or 37 cents a share a year earlier. Revenue for the period ending Dec. 31 rose 29.4% to $258.7 million, due to acquisitions including engineering group CAS Inc. and Impact Science & Technology. Organic growth slipped 8.8% due to lower sales in its electronic-force-protection division, as margins and profit were hit by one-time items including legal costs and write-offs. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of 45 cents a share on revenue of $261 million. EDO said it expects 2007 revenue, excluding the impact of acquisitions, to be between $960 million and $1.01 billion.
EMC Insurance Group Inc. (NasdaqGS:EMCI - News) reported fourth-quarter net income fell 40% on 2.7% lower revenue. Earnings were $11.5 million, or 84 cents a share, against $19 million, or $1.40, in the year-earlier period. Operating earnings were 78 cents compared with $1.34. Revenue fell to $114.8 million from $118 million. Premiums earned decreased 3.7% to $102.8 million. Investment income increased 8.3%to $11.9 million. For 2007, EMC expects operating earnings of $2.25 to $2.50 a share, compared with the $3.70 posted for 2006.
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (NasdaqGM:GIII - News) said it expects fiscal 2007 earnings of 90 cents to 95 cents a share on revenue of $425 million to $428 million.
ICT Group Inc. (NasdaqGM:ICTG - News) reported fourth-quarter net income of $5.1 million, or 32 cents a share, up from $4 million, or 30 cents, earned in the last three months of 2005. Quarterly revenue generated by the Newtown, Pa.-based services outsourcing company reached $117.2 million from the prior year's $110.4 million. Analysts, on average, had been looking for earnings of 32 cents a share on revenue of $116 million, according to estimates compiles by Thomson Financial. For 2007, ICT Group said it's shooting for earnings in a range of $1.43 to $1.50 a share; analysts' average stands at $1.49 a share. However, the company pegged first-quarter earnings at 20 cents to 23 cents a share, compared to a 30-cent average estimate among analysts who follow ICT Group.
Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE:NEW - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $223 million, or 50 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $62 million, or 14 cents a share. On a continuing operations basis, Denver-based Newmont earned $215 million, or 48 cents a share, in the latest quarter, up from last year's equivalent profit of $69 million, or 16 cents a share. Revenue rose in the latest three months to $1.46 billion from $1.29 billion in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 40 cents a share in the December period. Newmont said its consolidated gold sales for the fourth quarter reached 2 million ounces at costs applicable to sales of $322 per ounce and an average realized price of $619 per ounce. Looking ahead, the company said it expects capital spending of between $1.8 billion and $2 billion for 2007.
Patterson Cos. (NasdaqGS:PDCO - News)reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of 43 cents a share, up from 39 cents in the year-earlier period. The latest results reflect an income tax benefit of a penny a share and stock-based compensation expense of a penny a share. Sales rose 4% to $709.5 million from $682.4 million. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was profit of 44 cents.
Quicksilver Resources Inc. (NYSE:KWK - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 24 cents a share, down from 43 cents in the year-earlier period. The Fort Worth, Texas, oil and gas company posted revenue of $102 million vs. $102.9 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had forecast earnings of 27 cents a share on revenue of $104 million.
Reddy Ice Holdings Inc.'s (NYSE:FRZ - News)fourth-quarter net loss widened to 23 cents a share from 20 cents while revenue rose 1.2% to $61.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a loss of 17 cents on revenue of $61 million. Reddy said it expects 2007 revenue to range $360 million to $370 million. Net income is expected to range 87 cents to $1.06 a share. The company also said Jimmy Weaver will succeed William Brick as CEO. Brick will become executive chairman.
Rogers Corp. (NYSE:ROG - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 72 cents a share, up from 62 cents in the year-earlier period. Revenue at the Rogers, Conn., maker of specialty material-based products rose to $122.7 million from $98 million. The company expects first- quarter earnings of 48 cents to 52 cents a share on revenue of $108 million to $112 million.
Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. (NasdaqGS:RUTH - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled to 46 cents a share from 18 cents in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose 51% to $88 million.
Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE:CRM - News) fourth-quarter profit fell 91%, while revenue surged 58%, roughly in line with expectations.
Safeway Inc.'s (NYSE:SWY - News) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 77% to $307.9 million or 69 cents a share, from $173.5 million, or 39 cents a share, boosted by 8-cents a share in favorable tax items. The year-earlier quarter was hampered by a net of 10 cents a share because of store-exit activities, employee buyouts that were only partially offset by favorable tax items. The Pleasanton, Calif., food and drug retail chain said Thursday that revenue grew 3.8% to $12.5 billion from $12.05 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Identical-store sales, or sale at stores open for more than a year, climbed 3.5%.
Symbion Inc. (NasdaqGS:SMBI - News) said fourth quarter earnings fell to $4.5 million, or 21 cents a share, from $5.6 million, or 25 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted fourth quarter earnings of 22 cents a share. Revenue rose 10% to $78.9 million from $71.5 million as same-store net patient service revenue climbed 8%.
Synopsys Inc.'s (NasdaqGS:SNPS - News) fiscal first-quarter net income surged to 16 cents a share from a penny a share in the year-earlier period. The Mountain View, Calif., software company's revenue for the quarter ended Jan. 31 increased 15% to $300.2 million.
Toll Brothers, (NYSE:TOL - News) the Horsham, Pa., luxury-home builder, reported fiscal first-quarter net income fell 67% on 19% lower revenue.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: ANF, CLF, CRM, EDO, EMCI, FRZ, GIII, ICTG, KWK, NEW, PDCO, ROG, RUTH, SMBI, SNPS, SWY, TOL

Mad Mergers: Sirius Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: SIRI) and XM Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR)
Cramer smells "desperation" in the intended merger between SIRI and XMSR, and predicts that there will be a spate of anticompetitive mergers ahead of the possibility of a Democrat winning the White House, an event which would discourage future monolopistic mergers. Cramer dedicated the program to discussing ten likely scenarios.
10. Kroger (NYSE: KR - News) and Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News)9. Laboratory Corp. (NYSE: LH - News) and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX - News): Cramer notes that these two companies have been "locked in a ferocious price war to win the HMO business." Their slashed prices have meant less profits, and "it is time for them to get on the anticompetitive bus."8. Carnival (NYSE: CCL - News) and Royal Carribbean (NYSE: RCL - News)7. Office Depot (NYSE: ODP - News) and Office Max (NYSE: OMX - News)6. Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH - News) and McKesson (NYSE: MCK - News): Cramer notes that drug distributors have "been at war for wages" hurting themselves by lowering prices. He sees some major mergers in the sector for the next couple of years.5. BP (NYSE: BP - News) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX - News): BP would do well to merge with CVX, according to Cramer, because of CVX's excellent management.4. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) and Northrop Grunman (NYSE: NOC - News): Cramer notes that this merger is likely because the Pentagon doesn't want a lot of vendors.3. Comcast (NasdaqGS: CMCSA) and Time Warner (NYSE: TWX - News)2. Gannett (NYSE: GCI - News) and McClatchy (NYSE: MNI - News): Cramer believes that this merger is essential because it could "save the newspaper business."1. Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News) and Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI - News): Cramer says that this is his favorite possible merger.
Cramer also sees Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News) and CSX (NYSE: CSX - News) pairing up, and describes all of these possibilities as "a wave of mergers that will be great for profits."

Labels: BNI, BP, CAH, CCL, CVX, DGX, Jim Cramer, KR, LH, LMT, Mad Money, MCK, ODP, OMX, RCL, SIRI, SWY, TWX, UNP, XMSR

Deere (NYSE: DE - News), Qwest (NYSE: Q - News), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT - News), Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News) and CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX - News): Cramer listed DE, Q, NSC, CAT and SWY as underappreciated "buys", adding that he sees no reason why DE will stop at $113. He observes that rails are on a "gigantic tear," but notes that although NSC is "delivering its numbers" it is his least favorite railroad stock. He prefers UNP, says that rumors of its guiding down are "nonesense" and predicts that it will reach $125 from $103. He also likes CSX, which is raising its dividend and buying back stock. Concerning Safeway, Cramer likes its gift card business, which he says is worth around $7 billion.
Aetna (NYSE: AET - News), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY - News), United Health (NYSE: UNH - News), Laboratory Corp of America Holdings (NYSE: LH - News), Schering Plough (NYSE: SGP - News): Cramer comments that the entire healthcare sector is "exploding" because Warren Buffett took a stake in UNH, and LH reported strong numbers. He likes AET, but says "No" to big pharma, especially LLY. While Cramer is bullish on SGP, he would take a breather since it has gone from $17 to $24 "in a straight line."

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AET, CAT, CSX, DE, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, LH, LLY, NSC, Q, SGP, SWY, UNH, UNP

Bullish calls:
Disney (NYSE: DIS - News): ' a good quarter... it will be trapped by the strike next week because it's expiration ... I'm staying bullish on DIS. Iger's doing a great job ... Do not be perturbed that the stock did not go up after that great quarter.'Nike (NYSE: NKE - News): ' ....There are unbelievable stocks like NKE at $103.'Under Armour (NYSE: UA - News): ' ... maybe a little UA wouldn't be so bad either.'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): 'I like SWY in that department because its got that division that makes gift cards.'Express Scripts (NasdaqGS: ESRX)RBC Bearings (NasdaqGS: ROLL): ' That's pin action off of almost every piece of machinery that built in this country.'Amerisafe Inc. (NasdaqGS: AMSF): ' This is an insurance company, and most people don't understand it... the stock is going higher.'Avis Budget Group (NYSE: CAR - News): ' I felt so bad because I told people not to buy it and it worked ... I still think that CAR is good. I think you've got a good situation.'Autonation (NYSE: AN - News)IAC/InteractiveCorp (NasdaqGS: IACI): 'Man, what a great quarter. Wall Street hated that quarter. I don't know why... Doug Lebda [CEO] and Barry Diller....they're buying back stock hand over fist. I don't know how they're going to get the respect of Wall Street but they got it in Main Street. The stock is headed to the mid-40s.'Harley Davidson (NYSE: HOG - News): 'The bears are all over it ... I think at $65, we pull the trigger again ... It's not expensive. I am not worried.'Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE - News): 'Iceman's darn good ... I was too negative ... Ilike all the exchange stocks, but ICE - I'm blessing it right here, right now.'
Bearish calls:
Finish Line (NasdaqGS: FINL): 'I cannot let that Bar Mitzvah money stay idle in FINL when there are unbelievable stocks like NKE at $103 .... I need you to make the change right now."Whole Foods Market (NasdaqGS: WFMI): ' I think WFMI is too risky ahead of its quarter. I say ixnay.'Caremark Rx (NYSE: CMX - News): 'If you own CMX, you will get a higher bid from CVS next week. Then you will ring the register, because ESRX will not pay more. You swap out of CMX and go right into ESRX.'Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (NasdaqGM: HMIN): ' ... bulls make money, bears make money, hogs get slaughtered.... I want you to cut that position right now.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AMSF, AN, CAR, CMX, DIS, ESRX, FINL, HMIN, HOG, IACI, ICE, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, NKE, ROLL, SWY, UA

Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI - News), Intel (NasdaqGS: INTC): Cramer "adores" ATI which he calls the "ultimate ethanol play," because it produces metals which are durable enough for the corrosive alternative fuel. He predicts that ATI will also get big orders from Intel, since the tech company is producing chips made of hafnium, and ATI is the leading producer of the metal. Although the stock has risen from $20 to $103 in only two years, Cramer is bullish on ATI.
Kroger (NYSE: KR - News), Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News), Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): Cramer comments that the big supermarket chains such as KR and SWY are competing well against retail giant, Wal-Mart, and adds that the"feast-on-Wal-Mart trade has been great for Safeway," and he feels that Kroger will also benefit.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: ATI, INTC, Jim Cramer, KR, SWY, WMT

Bullish calls:
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I like the stock very much here ... good yield, nice growth path, is not going to set the world on fire. ... I say buy Bank of America.'Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT - News): 'Some people think I run hot and cold. ... I like LVLT. ... I endorse LVLT ... gonna close a deal soon with Broadwing (NASDAQ: BWNG - News). I am going to stay behind that thing with a TripleBuy.'ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News): ' ... run, don't walk, into ConAgra, which is one that we nailed nine ways to Sunday.'Quest Software (NASDAQ: QSFT - News): 'The jury is still out. ... I like the core business. I want you to stick with it.'ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP - News)Denny's (NASDAQ: DENN - News): 'For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker Darden ... 'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): ' I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'
Bearish calls:
CBOT Holdings (NYSE: BOT - News): 'We don't need to put any more money in those stocks. We are now in the 'don't buy' mode until that deal [with the Chicago Merc] closes.'FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News): 'I've been let down by FedEx. ... I thought you were having an Internet Christmas. ... even stuck my neck out ... We are done recommending FedEx on this show.'Scottish Power (SPI): 'Ring the register. ... Declare victory, nice investing, well done.'Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD - News): 'I want you to sell Smithfield Foods.'American Oriental Bioengineering (NYSE: AOB - News): 'Do not buy ... 'Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM - News): 'Tough situation, obviously, they had that Taco Bell problem ... For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker, Darden ... and then, only then, do I like Yum.'Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ: WINN - News): 'Just came out of bankruptcy ... I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'Skyworks Solutions (SKWS): 'Ixnay on the Skyworksnay.'Harrah's (NYSE: HET - News): 'You just struck it rich! You go out and you ring the register!'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AOB, BAC, BOT, BWNG, CAG, COP, DENN, FDX, HET, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, QSFT, SFD, SWY, WINN, YUM

Bullish calls:
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I like the stock very much here ... good yield, nice growth path, is not going to set the world on fire. ... I say buy Bank of America.'Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT - News): 'Some people think I run hot and cold. ... I like LVLT. ... I endorse LVLT ... gonna close a deal soon with Broadwing (NASDAQ: BWNG - News). I am going to stay behind that thing with a TripleBuy.'ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News): ' ... run, don't walk, into ConAgra, which is one that we nailed nine ways to Sunday.'Quest Software (NASDAQ: QSFT - News): 'The jury is still out. ... I like the core business. I want you to stick with it.'ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP - News)Denny's (NASDAQ: DENN - News): 'For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker Darden ... 'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): ' I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'
Bearish calls:
CBOT Holdings (NYSE: BOT - News): 'We don't need to put any more money in those stocks. We are now in the 'don't buy' mode until that deal [with the Chicago Merc] closes.'FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News): 'I've been let down by FedEx. ... I thought you were having an Internet Christmas. ... even stuck my neck out ... We are done recommending FedEx on this show.'Scottish Power (SPI): 'Ring the register. ... Declare victory, nice investing, well done.'Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD - News): 'I want you to sell Smithfield Foods.'American Oriental Bioengineering (NYSE: AOB - News): 'Do not buy ... 'Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM - News): 'Tough situation, obviously, they had that Taco Bell problem ... For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker, Darden ... and then, only then, do I like Yum.'Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ: WINN - News): 'Just came out of bankruptcy ... I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'Skyworks Solutions (SKWS): 'Ixnay on the Skyworksnay.'Harrah's (NYSE: HET - News): 'You just struck it rich! You go out and you ring the register!'
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Labels: AOB, BAC, BOT, BWNG, CAG, COP, DENN, FDX, HET, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, QSFT, SFD, SWY, WINN, YUM

Play it Cool: Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL - News), J. Crew (NYSE: JCG - News), and the Gap (NYSE: GPS - News)
Cramer urged investors to "check their enthusiasm at the door" when it comes to investing. He recommended GSOL last week, but told investors not to buy it after hours before doing their homework. He also said that people got too excited when J. Crew rose after it reported, and Cramer commented that people should have expected a decline. Now that the stock is at $39.99, Cramer says that it's time to pull the trigger, but to do so gradually. He likes the fact that the company underpromises and overdelivers, and applauds CEO Millard "Micky" Drexler who left Gap in 2002 and brought that company up 368%. Cramer thinks there is time to get into J. Crew because he doesn't envision that the pullback will be over until December 27.
Subtle Seasonal Strategy: Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News), GSI Commerce (NASDAQ: GSIC - News)
Cramer likes to find indirect ways of playing the holidays, such as Safeway, which he discussed earlier this week. Another subtle strategy is to buy GSI Commerce which provides Web-related marketing, design and management for companies such as Dick's Sporting Goods and Burberry. Cramer comments that GSIC has growth like Google but it is trading at a 35% discount to Amazon. In addition, the stock is "criminally undervalued" and has a "truly incredible business" which plays on the secular growth of web retail.
Mad Mail : J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP - News) and SAIC (NYSE: SAI - News)
Cramer advised not to take the fact that JCP is offering a dividend as a sign that it is stalled, and concerning SAI, he comments that people who sold the stock because they were disappointed with the quarter will regret getting out. On a general note, Cramer said that uranium and nuclear fuel are too speculative.

Labels: GPS, GSIC, GSOL, JCG, JCP, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, SAI, SWY

Out in the Open: Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT - News), Lamar (NASDAQ: LAMR - News), Clear Channel (NYSE: CCO - News) and CBS (NYSE: CBS - News)
Although Cramer has often said that old media is dying, the oldest advertisements, billboards, are " coming back with a vengeance," because they are on the street where they cannot be avoided and are going digital. Daktronics is up 165%, but Cramer recommends buying it because the company "owns the market" in digital billboards, which he believes is the fastest growing form of advertising after the internet. The company also produces scoreboards for sports events. Cramer thinks Lamar is a better acquisition than CBS and Clear Channel, " because it is a pure play and is "going digital faster than any other company."

Safeway's Secret (NYSE: SWY - News)
Since many of the obvious holiday stocks are "played out" Cramer suggested a good oblique strategy for benefitting from the season by investing in Safeway which, in addition to running great stores, owns the $4-5 billion greeting card business, Blackhawk, whose products are sold by Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS - News), Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL - News) iTunes, MasterCard (NYSE: MA - News), Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN - News), Home Depot (NYSE: HD - News) and Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD - News). Not many people are aware that Safeway owns Blackhawk, but when this is no longer a secret, the stock should rise, comments Cramer. In addition, Safeway's supermarkets are "financially sound enough to add a half-billion dollars to its buyback program last Friday and offer a dividend," and he would get into the stock before its analyst meeting on Tuesday.
CEO Interview: David Pyott of Allergan (NYSE: AGN - News)
David Pyott discussed the company's developing program for neuropathic pain and its rapid growth in the opthalmology sector. "The great position we have is that Allergan is the largest company in the world in the medical aesthetics space," he said, noting the popularity of breast implants, Botox and Juviderm among plastic surgery customers. Pyott also mentioned an upcoming trial between Juviderm and Medicis' Restylane to see which treatment customers like better and lasts longer. After the interview, Cramer commented that Thomas Weisel Partners' downgrade of Allergan was unfair, and that he would back up the truck as soon as the stock's price dips.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AAPL, AGN, BKS, CBS, CCO, DAKT, HD, Jim Cramer, JWN, LAMR, MA, Mad Money, SHLD, SWY