Stocks could be hostage to the Fed and inflation, says Jim Cramer

CNBC Television
13 May 202410:20

TLDRJim Cramer discusses the current state of the stock market, noting that while stocks may be influenced by the Federal Reserve and inflation, there is hope that technology could help alleviate some of these pressures. He highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to reduce costs and speed up processes, such as drug discovery and development, but acknowledges that these benefits may not be immediate. Cramer also addresses concerns about rising rents and credit card debt, suggesting that companies like Visa are well-positioned despite these challenges. He advises investors to focus on stocks and companies that are not heavily dependent on interest rates and cautions against the near-term risks posed by inflationary numbers. Cramer emphasizes the importance of being patient and waiting for the right opportunities, drawing parallels to the slow adoption of video ads on the internet in the past.

Takeaways

  • 📉 Jim Cramer discusses the current state of the stock market, highlighting that it could be influenced by the Federal Reserve's actions and inflation.
  • 🚀 He expresses optimism about the potential of technology, specifically artificial intelligence, to reduce costs and potentially combat inflation.
  • 🏠 Cramer mentions concerns over housing prices remaining high but notes the impact of companies like Amazon in reducing the prices of certain goods.
  • 📈 Despite the Dow dipping and the Nasdaq advancing, Cramer emphasizes the importance of the CPI (Consumer Price Index) and its influence on the market.
  • 🧐 He introduces a new AI supercomputer, Biohive 2, which aims to accelerate scientific and healthcare work, potentially speeding up drug discovery.
  • 🏢 Cramer addresses the limitations of AI's impact on inflation, stating that while it holds promise, it won't immediately affect areas of concern like rents, cars, insurance, homes, and apparel.
  • 📈 He suggests focusing on stocks and companies not heavily influenced by interest rates, which could be negatively affected if rates remain high.
  • 💳 Regarding credit card debt, Cramer reassures that it's more of a concern for banks than for companies like Visa, which continues to issue more cards.
  • 🤖 He highlights the capabilities of advanced AI, such as ChatGPT 4.0, which can perceive emotions and perform tasks like reading stories with intonation and singing.
  • 📈 Cramer advises on investment strategies, recommending buying into stocks like Eaton when they experience a temporary drop, due to their erratic trading patterns.
  • 🚗 He discusses the challenges in the automotive industry, noting a shift away from the expected move towards electric vehicles, and the reluctance of home builders to construct new homes despite high demand.

Q & A

  • What is Jim Cramer's primary mission on 'Mad Money'?

    -Jim Cramer's primary mission on 'Mad Money' is to make viewers money and to level the playing field for all investors.

  • According to Jim Cramer, what could potentially free stocks from the hostage situation caused by the Fed and inflation?

    -Jim Cramer suggests that the stealth forces of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, could potentially free stocks from the hostage situation caused by the Fed and inflation by bringing all costs down.

  • What is Cramer's view on the impact of Amazon on drug prices?

    -Cramer sees Amazon as a force that can bring down the prices of drugs and groceries, which is a positive development in his view of the market.

  • What does Cramer consider a dichotomy in the current market?

    -Cramer considers the dichotomy in the market to be the concern over inflation and the simultaneous hope in how artificial intelligence can reduce costs.

  • How does Cramer view the potential of AI supercomputers in the healthcare sector?

    -Cramer views AI supercomputers, such as the one introduced by NVIDIA, as a game-changer that could speed up the discovery and development of drugs, thereby potentially beating hard-to-cure illnesses.

  • What is Cramer's opinion on the role of immigration in relation to housing prices and wage inflation?

    -Cramer believes that high immigration contributes to higher housing demand and thus higher housing prices. However, he also notes that immigration helps keep wage inflation down, which is not a concern for consumers.

  • What is the name of the advanced AI program that Cramer mentions in the transcript?

    -The advanced AI program that Cramer mentions is called CHATGPT 4.0, with the 'O' standing for 'Omni'.

  • Why does Cramer believe that AI, despite its potential, may not have an immediate impact on the current inflationary concerns?

    -Cramer believes that while AI promises to solve many problems and could eventually reduce costs, in the near term it won't have any impact on the current high-cost items such as cars, insurance, homes, apparel, and rents, which are the primary concerns driving inflation.

  • What does Cramer suggest investors should do given the current inflationary environment?

    -Cramer suggests that investors should stick with stocks and companies that are not hostage to interest rates, particularly growth stocks that perform poorly when rates go higher.

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  • What is Cramer's advice regarding investing in Visa, considering concerns about rising credit card debt?

    -Cramer advises that it's not a concern for Visa as the company benefits from more cards being issued. He considers it a fabulous level to get in and recommends being a buyer.

  • How does Cramer respond to a caller's question about increasing their position in Eaton, one of Cramer's favorite stocks?

    -Cramer considers Eaton a great stock that trades erratically, suggesting that the caller should wait for a decline to buy more, as it provides opportunities for purchase at lower prices.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Market Insights and AI's Impact on Inflation

The first paragraph introduces the show 'MAD MONEY' with host Jim Cramer's mission to make money for viewers and level the playing field for all investors. It discusses the current market situation where stocks are influenced by Federal Reserve inflation concerns but also the potential for technology to reduce costs. The segment touches on the dichotomy of drug prices, the introduction of AI supercomputers like BioHive2, and the potential for AI to speed up drug discovery. It also addresses concerns about housing prices and the influence of immigration on the housing market. The summary ends with a discussion on the limitations of generative AI in addressing immediate economic concerns, drawing parallels to the slow adoption of video ads in the past.

05:00

💡 Navigating Investments Amidst Inflation and AI Hype

The second paragraph delves into the challenges of investing during a period of inflation and the potential of AI to improve productivity and reduce costs in the long term. It contrasts the slow realization of past technological promises with the current hype around AI. The speaker acknowledges the struggle against near-term inflationary pressures on essential goods and services, emphasizing the need to focus on stocks and companies not heavily impacted by interest rates. The segment includes a discussion with callers about their investment strategies and specific company insights, such as Visa and Eaton, and concludes with a teaser about the gig economy stocks and the power of buybacks.

10:03

📞 Engaging with the MAD MONEY Community

The third paragraph provides information on how viewers can engage with the show and host Jim Cramer. It offers multiple avenues for interaction, including Twitter, email, and a phone number for viewers to ask questions or share their thoughts. This segment emphasizes the show's commitment to viewer participation and the importance of community engagement in the world of investing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Stocks

Stocks refer to shares in the ownership of a company. In the context of the video, they are the primary subject of investment discussion, with the host, Jim Cramer, discussing their potential as hostage to the Federal Reserve's actions and inflation.

💡Fed

The Fed stands for the Federal Reserve, which is the central banking system in the United States. It plays a crucial role in regulating monetary policy, including interest rates, which can significantly impact the stock market.

💡Inflation

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. In the script, it is a central concern as it can erode the real value of investments, including stocks.

💡Technology

Technology is a broad concept that refers to tools, systems, and methods used in the creation and processing of goods and services. In the video, it is seen as a potential liberating force for the stock market, with AI and other tech innovations being highlighted.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The script discusses AI's potential to reduce costs and speed up processes, which could counteract inflationary pressures.

💡Amazon

Amazon is an e-commerce and technology giant known for its ability to disrupt markets and bring down prices. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as an example of a company that could influence market dynamics through technological innovation.

💡NASDAQ

The NASDAQ is a stock exchange platform known for listing technology and biotechnology companies. The script mentions the NASDAQ's performance, which is an indicator of market sentiment towards tech stocks.

💡CPI (Consumer Price Index)

The Consumer Price Index measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. It is a key economic indicator that influences monetary policy and is mentioned in the context of housing prices and inflation.

💡Interest Rates

Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money and are set by central banks like the Fed. They have a direct impact on the economy, including investment decisions in the stock market. The script discusses how higher interest rates can affect stock performance.

💡Gig Economy

The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. The video mentions gig economy stocks, indicating the discussion of companies that operate within this economic model.

💡Buyback

A buyback, or share buyback, is when a company purchases its own shares from the market, which can increase the stock price and is seen as a sign of confidence in the company's financial health. The script suggests that buybacks have a real impact on stock performance.

Highlights

Jim Cramer discusses the current stock market situation, emphasizing the potential influence of the Federal Reserve and inflation on stocks.

Cramer highlights the dichotomy in the market, with technology potentially freeing stocks from inflationary pressures.

He expresses concern over inflation but remains hopeful about the cost-reducing potential of artificial intelligence.

Cramer mentions Amazon's ability to reduce drug and grocery prices as an example of technology's impact on the market.

The introduction of a new AI supercomputer, Biohive 2, is discussed for its potential to accelerate scientific and healthcare work.

Cramer talks about the importance of the crucial price index and its effect on the Dow and NASDAQ.

He addresses the challenge of housing prices remaining high despite technological advancements.

Cramer discusses the role of immigration in both increasing housing demand and keeping wage inflation in check.

The potential of AI, such as ChatGPT 4.0, to revolutionize various sectors is explored, including its emotional perception capabilities.

Cramer questions the short-term impact of AI on housing prices and rents, which are significant components of the CPI.

He emphasizes the need to focus on stocks and companies not heavily influenced by interest rates in the current economic climate.

Cramer provides investment advice on Visa, suggesting it is a good level to buy in despite concerns about credit card debt.

He encourages investors to stick with stocks and companies that are not hostage to interest rates, which can be negatively affected by economic conditions.

Cramer discusses the gig economy stocks and whether there is room for growth after recent rallies.

The power of buybacks in the stock market is highlighted, with Cramer sharing a buyback big shot that could be of interest to investors.

Cramer reflects on the delayed fulfillment of promises made by generative AI and the need for patience in realizing its potential benefits.

He concludes by reiterating the importance of being prepared for the near-term challenges posed by inflation and interest rates, despite the promising long-term prospects of AI.