Jim Cramer Blog

The Skinny on Kraft (NYSE: KFT - News) and Proctor and Gamble (NYSE: PG - News)
After Tuesday's dismal trading day, Cramer believes the Fed will be willing to accept a recession, anything that will beat inflation, "even if even if it means the electric bleachers for my hedge fund and trading fund friends." As expected, Cramer recommended defensive stocks, and especially KFT, which may sell "loser brands" such as Maxwell House, especially since Carl Icahn and Nelson Peltz have a stake in the company. He also thinks PG will jettison brands that aren't working to preserve its capital.

CEO Interview: Timothy Wallace, Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN - News)
Timothy Wallce doesn't think TRN's steep 20% slide last month is an indication of a longer-term decline for the company, and comments Trinity purchased 20% equity in TRIP Rail Holdings. While Cramer thinks TRN may have a good long-term story, he would be careful since, "the numbers may be too high here."
Treehouse Foods Inc. (NYSE: THS - News) and B & G Foods Inc. (NYSE: BGS - News)
While Kraft and Proctor and Gamble are getting rid of "crummy" brands, THS and BGS are masters of acquiring tired names and giving them new life. Cramer described THS as a risky stock which has been on an acquisition spree, and owns household brands Santa Fe, Del Monte and Oxford. THS' profits have increased 42% year-over-year in the second quarter. B & G's buys neglected brands such as Ortega, Cream Of Wheat and Underwood, is a conservative investment which reported a 12.3% increase in net sales last quarter and is worth owning for the dividend, according to Cramer. He says both companies are "thrice-blessed" because they are recession-proof and consolidate their expenses to reduce raw costs; "We like the dividends, and we like the brands."
The Last Man Standing; The Travelers (NYSE: TRV - News)
In spite of the current environment, Cramer says money can be made from insurance companies which continually invest and are "gigantic cash machines." He would stick with TRV which is the "last man standing" and is ranked 89 in the Fortune 500. He predicts TRV will go higher on the current housing situation.
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Labels: BGS, Jim Cramer, KFT, Mad Money, PG, THS, TRN, TRV

Treehouse Foods (NYSE: THS - News)-Cramer comments that although some public leveraged-buyout firms, such as KKR and AP Alternative Assets are down, Treehouse Foods is on the way up. THS is "an acquisition vehicle and a growth story" which has a "virtuous cycle," according to Cramer because it makes more acquisitions as it goes higher, and these deals put the company in a good position. Cramer would buy the stock now at its 52-week high because its "high share price is the currency it uses to buy other companies."
Oregon Steel (NYSE: OS - News) Reliance Steel (NYSE: RS - News), Nucor (NYSE: NUE - News)-Hype over an article in the Wall Street Journal about a glut in the steel market caused many investors to miss out on "sweet" stocks like Oregon Steel. The article neglected to mention that these stocks were trading at five to six times earnings, and the glut was already priced in. However, it is not too late to pick up Reliance Steel, says Cramer, which may be taken over since there is a lot of consolidation going on the the steel industry, excluding Nucor, which Cramer thinks is doing too well to be bought. Reliance reported a great quarter, notes Cramer, and has strong fundamentals.
Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG - News)-Cramer likes this company because it is coming back after having been a "horrid disappointment" with its accounting problems, although this turnaround has not yet been reflected in the stock. Recently IPG "snagged a massive contract with GlaxoSmithKline" and is working with Wal-Mart, notes Cramer who adds that the company had a great quarter, is cutting expenses and is increasing revenue. Since none of its contracts are under review, IPG will not lose customers: "The bottom has been put into this stock, and opportunity is knocking. It is a triple buy," says Cramer.
CEO Interview: Sylvester "Chip" Johnson of Carrizo Oil & Gas (NASDAQ: CRZO - News)-
When Cramer asked Chip Johnson why investors should buy shares of his company which has natural gas exposure, he replied "Even in the near-term, gas storage is full, but is only about 4% higher than the highest level it reached a couple of years ago." He recommended taking a long-term view and said that his company had "one of the biggest anchorage positions" in Texas gas field BarnettShale. Johnson admitted that he wasn't sure why natural gas has hit bottom. "We had most of our gas hedged, so we weren't worried about it in the near-term, but the fact that it has bounced back now seems a little premature to us." Cramer suggested that while those who are bullish on natural gas should buy CRZO, he is not bullish.

Labels: CRZO, IPG, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, NUE, OS, RS, THS