Jim Cramer's Mad Money Review

This site is dedicated towards tracking Jim Cramer's stock picks on his TV show Mad Money. Read about and discuss Jim Cramer's ability to move markets. Be ahead of the stock market. Get the news before its news.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Review 10/10

The best way to sustain Friday's late rally is for the government to cut a back-room deal with the largest banks and brokerages to get them to start making loans again, Jim Cramer told viewers on his "Mad Money" TV show on Friday.
On a day when Dow closed down 128 points after another extremely volatile session, Cramer said this "secret" meeting is necessary to get the economy, credit markets and stock markets rolling again and avoid a repeat of this past week's brutal market.
Cramer said he would have the Federal Reserve take the initiative by inviting to the meeting the CEOs of large financial institutions such as Citigroup(C ), Bank of America(BAC ), Wells Fargo(WF ), JP Morgan(JPM )Morgan Stanley(MS), and Goldman Sachs(GS ), the latter three of which he owns for his Action Alerts PLUS portfolio.
Cramer said the Fed would tell the CEOs that it would not repeat the mistake it made when it allowed Lehman Bros to fail. Instead, he said, the Fed would do all that it can to get the financial institutions open for business again.
He said the Fed would guarantee all their debts as well as their brokerage, savings and corporate accounts. Furthermore it would allow them to pay off their bonds with federal money, permit them to sell their credit default swaps lower and provide them $100 billion each to lend.
In return, these financial institutions would have to live up to their end of the bargain by "opening the spigots" and make loans again. He said the loans will be targeted to corporations, small businesses and individuals - but not hedge funds.
He also said the Fed would have the financial institutions divvy up the "bad banks" among themselves, with the aim of having them assume the good deposits while selling the bad assets to the federal government's newly created Troubled Asset Recovery Program.
Cramer said that after the market's worst-ever weekly drop it's "time to change our incredibly negative bias," as stocks are no longer in endless sell mode.
For Cramer it's time to rent some stocks, with a look at owning longer term if the market again approaches the lows seen on Friday. Cramer believes the market will chase those lows since the market rarely bottoms on a Friday, and the snapback by stocks was too far, too fast.
That means a new game plan is needed for the cash that Cramer told traders to peel off last month.
Expecting a gap down on both Monday and Tuesday, Cramer advises putting 25% of that cash back in play on both days. As usual, Cramer is against buying all at once.
As for where to put it, Cramer offered a stock like Kellogg(K ) as a template, based on its rallying behavior a year after the 1987 crash.
Of course, Cramer said this isn't 1987 - times are a lot worse. Given that, Cramer suggests loooking at companies that are trading around their cash on hand, such as KBR(KBR ).
You should also look at companies that make products that you eat, such as Kraft(KFT), Heinz(HNZ ), Coca-Cola(KO ) and Altria(MO ). Cramer owns Kraft and Altria in his Action Alerts Plus portfolio.
Cramer also likes giant pharmaceutial Merck(MRK ), cyclical plays Nucor(NUE )and Freeport McMoRan(FCX ), which he also owns for his Action Alerts PLUS portfolio, but reminded viewers that you only want a small position with the last two, since they aren't self-financing.
Cramer would be careful with financials, but he likes US Bancorp(USB ), and threw in a recommendation for Duke Energy(DUK ).
The new leadership is companies that don't need money, Cramer said.
Half-Empty
Cramer likes that traders dodged a bullet on Friday, with a "spectacular" rally off the lows of the morning, but he believes it's important to lay out the worst-case scenario so investors can go forward "with their eyes open."
In the worst case, the model isn't the 1987 market crash, which saw equities bounce back only a year later, but a "1929 scenario" which brought an 89% peak-to-trough drop and a "decline that just wouldn't quit."
In that model, Cramer said, currently flailing stocks like U.S. Steel(X ) and General Motors(GM ) wouldn't be done yet.
Cramer said that unfortunately the parallels with the 1929 crash are too close for comfort. As in 1929, he explained, we have a presidential administration that's in over its head. Listening to Bush say the government taking necessary actions to solve the crisis is like President Herbert Hoover saying than that the worst is behind us.
Cramer noted the market's tanking after Bush's most recent comments about the market, as well as the similarities of a Federal Reserve too focused on inflation and a wave of bank failures.
Cramer said he believes the federal bailout plan can help, but that a second Great Depression is still on the table. "That's why you have to be careful with your buying," he said.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

CNBC's Fast Money Recap Nov. 20th

The Dow closed up 51 points and the S&P 500 finished up 6 points. Crude oil is closing in on $100 as we near Thanksgiving. John Kilduff, an analyst at MF Global, joined the show to discuss his take on oil. He predicts the top on crude could be in area of $108 to $110. Adami favors Chevron (CVX), which he feels is cheaper then ExxonMobil (XOM). He advises looking at refiners like Tesoro (TSO) here. Finerman owns Tesoro and she is also looking at buying ConocoPhillips (COP).
Regional airlines are benefiting from the delays and congestion at larger airports. Airlines like Midwest (MEH) and Allegiant (ALGT) are benefiting from this trend. Adami says the way to play this trend is to buy the private jet makers like Textron (TXT), General Dynamics (GD), Embrear (ERJ) and Honeywell (HON).
For Defensive stocks Najarian likes Merck (MRK), Genentech (DNA) and Biogen (BIIB). However, Finerman would get defensive with names like Altria (MO) and Kraft (KFT). Adami also recommends Altria, Unilever (UL) and Procter & Gamble (PG).
Word on the Street
Target (TGT) reported a 4.4% fall in profits.
Whole Foods Market (WFMI) reported a decline in fourth-quarter profits, but sales top Wall Street estimates.
Google (GOOG) trades up 4% after Credit Suisse raised their price target to $900. Najarian believes names like Research In Motion (RIMM), Google and Apple (AAPL) are starting to show strength again. He would look to get back into these stocks around these levels. Adami prefers Microsoft (MSFT).
Najarian would keep an eye on ISIS Pharmaceuticals (ISIS) and Sangamo Biosciences (SGMO).
Pops & Drops
Pops - Barnes & Noble (BKS) traded up 13% after reporting higher internet sales.
Exxon (XOM) traded up 4% after UBS upgraded the stock.
Kraft (KFT) traded up 2%.
Utilities EFT (XLU) traded up 1%.
Drops - Office Depot (ODP) fell 7% after reporting a 9% decline in profits.
Echostar (DISH) fell 7%
Ericsson (ERIC) fell 12%
Hovnanian (HOV) fell 9%.
GameStop (GME) fell 4% after the video game maker missed analyst estimates.
Saks (SKS) fell 2% after missing estimates.
Final Trade
Macke likes the price action in Microsoft (MSFT).
Adami recommends Freeport McMorRan (FCX).
Finerman says to short the iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate ETF (IYR).
Najarian would purchase Pulte Homes (PHM) for a short term buy.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Stock Recap Oct. 15th

CEO Wall of Shame. Cramer still has Citibank (C) CEO Chuck Prince at the top of his Wall of Shame, and thinks that he will be forced out this week after listening to a conference call. The next CEO is Motorola's (MOT) Ed Zander. Lastly, Patrica Russo of Alcatel-Lucent (ALU) rounds out the top three. Although he has their CEO on the Wall of Shame, Cramer thinks that Motorola is a stock to buy because Carl Ichan owns a large position in the stock, plus they announce their quarterly earnings on Friday, and Cramer thinks they might finally bottom out this quarter. Cramer also thinks that the company is worth $24.60 per share if it is broken up, which is 27% higher than the current price.
Cramer then went to the phones. The first caller asked about Kraft (KFT), and Cramer thinks the stock is low risk, high reward. The next caller asked about Research in Motion (RIMM), and Cramer thinks that it is taking a breather for the next couple of days.
CoPart (CPRT) Cramer analyzed a stock he has been waiting to bring up on the show for a while. CPRT has finally moved down enough from its highs that Cramer feels good about recommending it. The company is in the middle of a large stock buyback, and is going to continue to grow.
After the lightning round, Cramer talked about the buyout rumors surrounding Saks (SKS). Cramer doesn't think the stock jumped enough on the news, and he likes the stock anyway. Cramer believes SKS will be bought out around $23 - $24 per share, and it is worth up to $26.30 per share when compared to the buyout price Neiman Marcus got last year.
Mad Mail. The first email asked about Biogen (BIIB), and Cramer thinks that it could be bought out at $100. The next email asked about Hologic (HOLX), and Cramer is still bullish. The next email was about Petro China (PTR), which Cramer thinks is up too much.
Sudden Death. Cramer doesn't like Lloyd's (LYG), and recommended Allstate (ALL), Metlife (MET), or Prudential (PRU) instead. He does like Textainer Group (TGH).

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Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Lighting Round Oct. 1st

Bullish:
Coca-Cola (KO) or Pepsi (PEP)
Investools (SWIM): Cramer likes the stock.
Skyworks (SWKS): Cramer likes this stock and RF Micro (RFMD) until the end of the year, and then he thinks it will be time to get out.
Media (FMCN) or Baidu.com (BIDU).
Best Buy (BBY) instead of Circuit City.
Under Armour (UA): Cramer thinks this quarter is going to be good, and that UA is the place to be.
Aircastle (AYR): Cramer likes the good yield, but the stock is not exciting.
Kraft (KFT)
Oracle (ORCL) is the better software play.
Bearish:
Melco (MPEL): Cramer thinks that they know nothing about the casino business. "Sell, sell, sell!"
China Precision (CPSL): Cramer thinks this is a sell, and that you should go with Focus.
Circuit City (CC): Cramer thinks there is nothing there
Invesco (IVZ): Go with T. Rowe Price (TROW) instead.
Level 3 Communications (LVLT): Cramer thinks you should stay away and that he needs to have the CEO on the show.
Tellabs (TLAB): Don't Buy, Don't Buy, Don't Buy.
ADM (ADM): Cramer thinks that this is a lost company
Lance (LNCE): Don't buy
Red Hat (RHT): Cramer doesn't like Red Hat
Jones Soda (JSDA): Stay away from

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Lightning Round Aug. 27

Bullish calls:
Herbalife (HLF): 'I have switched to Herbalife (HLF) and I am much thinner!' US Bancorp (USB): 'at 4.8% yield, USB... I'd pull the trigger right here! I think they're going to own the mortgage market.' Wells Fargo (WFC) Southern Copper (PCU): 'Skee Daddy likes PCU... no doubt about it.' Freeport McMoRan (FCX): ' if you want a cheaper stock that is off more, because the hedge funds kept dumping it all over the place... it is Freeport McMoRan, which is down a quick $15.' Novartis(NVS): 'Novartis is the play.' Cal-Maine Foods (CALM): 'Yeah, that stock is still cheap. And people don't understand... it's like the only egg producer around there.' Kraft Foods (KFT): 'That's the big dairy play that I like very much, and I'm reiterating that everybody's circling around KFT. Irene Rosenfeld's going to sell some brands. That stock goes from $32 to $35.' Dell(DELL):'It reports later this week. I think it's going to have an upside surprise … I think it reports $30 by the year's end.' Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) PepsiCo(PEP): 'PEP, at $68, has still got more upside. Great international growth. Frito Lay turned. Brand new sugar-free Gatorade coming, and great ads last night on Sunday Night Football on NBC.' Toll Brothers (TOL): 'I think is going to bottom, ahead of all the other homebuilders - the only area in this whole country with real estate that is not falling off a cliff.' CACI International (CAI) Raytheon (RTN): 'I like Raytheon more than CAI.' Lockheed Martin (LMT): ' … broke out today.' General Dynamics (GD) American Standard (ASD): 'ASD, in the end, is an inexpensive stock. You know I like the management. But it's got a new CEO. It's no longer going to be Fred Poses. I've got to stick by ASD!' Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK)
Bearish calls:
Blackstone Group (BX): 'I think BX is just the quintessential wrong stock to own.' Fortress Group (FIG) Alvarion (ALVR): 'It's an Israeli wireless company. I really like it…. Let it pull back under $10.' NutriSystem (NTRI):' It's controversial, because there's a very big short position … There are some people who think that NTRI's stuff is not that tasty.' Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) CPI (CPY) Pre-Paid Legal Services (PPD)

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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Stock Recap Aug. 14th

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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Friday, April 06, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Stock Recap April 5

Rethinking Spartan Motors Spartan Motors (NasdaqGS: SPAR)
Although he initially rejected a pitch for Spartan Motors made by an IU Kelley School of Business student, Cramer is now bullish after investigating the stock further. Initially, he thought SPAR was mainly involved with recreational vehicles which would be out of favor with rising oil prices. However, Spartan also manufactures emergency vehicles, and since 55% of the nation's firetrucks need replacing, Spartan vehicles will be in demand. In addition, the armed forces require vehicles that will protect soldiers from roadside bombs. Spartan's military motor division recently scored the second largest contract in its history. The company's RV business is doing well, because baby boomers love RVs. While Spartan has a great story, Cramer cautions that this small-cap speculative stock may not be for everyone and to wait for a pullback before buying.
Sell Block: WCI Communities (NYSE: WCI - News), Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG - News), Hologic (NasdaqGS: HOLX), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News), Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX - News), Coldwater Creek (NasdaqGS: CWTR), Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD), Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG), Altria (NYSE: MO - News), Kraft (NYSE: KFT - News) Take-Two Interactive (NasdaqGS: TTWO)
Cramer is "adamant that homebuilders can't be owned" and would sell WCI even though it hasn't moved, along with SPG, which has had a big increase. He would also sell HOLX which is "priced for perfection" but which has been the target of articles suggesting its products are less than perfect. Cramer likes rails as a "happy oligopoly, but given NSC's disappointing guidance, he would swap it for UNP on any strength. Cramer confessed "I deserve to be roasted over hot coals" for recommending GBX as a short-busting play when the stock has had a huge drop. Cramer wants to avoid getting burned again over CWTR and would sell even though it seems to be making a comeback. He thinks upgrades of semiconductors are "insane" and would get rid of the entire sector. Gilead, Cramer's "bio stock of the year" is now too expensive, and he would sell it or swap into Celgene. Now that Altria has spun off Kraft, Cramer would hold onto MO and sell KFT; "American cheese just doesn't turn it's customers into hopeless addicts."Finally, the fact that it is difficult to zero in on what is really wrong with TTWO is the best reason to sell it.
Mad Mail: Deere (NYSE: DE - News), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO - News)
Cramer would back up the truck and buy DE because, for the long-term "we are in a secular bull market inf farming" and sees a strong comeback for Deere. Cramer also likes KO because if it's brand turns around in Japan, KO could rise from $50 to $55.

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Monday, March 26, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Stock Recap Mar. 23

Game Plan for Next Week: Brocade (NasdaqGS: BRCD), Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ - News), Phillips-Van Heusen (NYSE: PVH - News), CarMax (NYSE: KMX - News), Accenture (NYSE: ACN - News) and DSW (NYSE: DSW - News), Movado (NYSE: MOV - News)
Cramer suggested buying Brocade ahead of an analysts meeting on Thursday during which it is expected to raise its estimates. Although Cramer does not usually recommend Cisco's competitors, the stock should rise after the meeting and he predicts Cisco might buy BRCD. While he likes BRCD as a trade, the only tech stocks good for investments are AAPL and HPQ. Cramer expects strong earnings reports next week from PVH, KMX, ACN and DSW. Cramer's top stock next week is MOV which he thinks will deliver a "substantial upside surprise."
Good and Bad IPOs Photowatt, eTelecare with stock First Solar (NasdaqGM: FSLR)
Cramer discussed two companies which are going public next week, one to pay attention to and one to avoid. Concerning Photowatt, which will trade under PHWT, Cramer says "We have had way too many solar stocks come public and there's not enough demand, even with the hype that surrounds solar... Avoid it at any price." He suggested FSLR for those who want a solar stock. However, Cramer thinks eTelecare, an outsourcing company based in the Philippines "the next great, outsourcing center," might be a good stock. It is expected to trade under the symbol ETEL from between $12.50 and $14.50. Cramer would not pay more than $15 and urged, "please buy it carefully."
Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX - News)
FCX is now a "happy oligopoly" after having merged with Phelps Dodge and has cornered copper, comments Cramer, who says its a "screaming" buy. FCX is a "terrific hedge against inflation" and is in "tremendous demand." Its secondary offering was priced at 41 million shares and FCX rose $1. Cramer notes that FCX is a well-liked stock which will continue to go up. While analyst estimates are not high, Cramer predicts FCX will provide "blow away" numbers. He adds that while demand for copper has declined in the U.S., it is a sought-after mineral in China. Cramer sees this $62 stock going to $100.
Mad Mail: Altria (NYSE: MO - News), Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT - News), Dean Foods (NYSE: DF - News)
When asked how MO holders can lessen the risk of a downside from KFT after it is spun off, Cramer suggests buying MO's "when-issued shares।" However, he added, "Kraft will be added to the S&P 500 so there's a very good chance it won't go down at all." Cramer would stay with DF which should go up again.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Jim Cramer's Mad Money Stock Recap Mar. 13

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."
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Jim Cramer's Mad Money Review Mar. 13

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."

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Monday, January 29, 2007

Altria (MO) to Split in Three

Summary: This Wednesday, Altria (NYSE: MO - News) will announce its long-awaited corporate breakup, distributing to shareholders its $50 billion stake in Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT - News). Its next move, anticipated within the year, will be a spinoff of the company's international tobacco branch, Philip Morris International, leaving Altria with the domestic unit (which has a 50% U.S. market share, led by Marlboro) and a 29% stake in SABMiller. According to David Adelman, tobacco analyst at Morgan Stanley, "Altria has one of the most underleveraged balance sheets of any large consumer-products company in the world." He thinks shares could hit 105 in 2008, about 19% higher than current levels. Analysts have long believed that Altria would do better as separately traded businesses than as a single entity, potentially adding to earnings through acquisitions, buying back stock, increasing dividends and cutting costs. The move was delayed over legal concerns which a split could incur, but which have now been deemed survivable, mainly due to recent legal victories for tobacco makers. Altria's current P/E ratio is 15.6x estimated 2007 earnings. Bottom Line: "If Altria spins off Kraft and then divvies up its big tobacco businesses, its shares have the potential to return 20% over the next 18 months."
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