In a recent episode of CNBC’s ‘Mad Money Lightning Round,’ financial guru Jim Cramer offered his insights on a selection of companies, delivering his signature ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ recommendations. Let’s dive into his picks and see what caught his eye.
CyberArk Software: A Longtime Favorite
Cramer enthusiastically endorsed CyberArk Software, declaring, “That is a terrific situation, I’ve liked it for many, many years.” This bullish stance is further supported by Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Jonathan Ruykhaver, who maintained an ‘Overweight’ rating on CyberArk and raised the price target from $300 to $335 on October 29th.
Aurora Innovation: A Tesla Preference
When questioned about Aurora Innovation, Cramer admitted, “Any time I get into self-driving technology, I like to go with Tesla.” His preference for Tesla over Aurora likely stems from the former’s established dominance in the electric vehicle and autonomous driving space. Notably, Aurora Innovation reported a quarterly loss of 13 cents per share on October 30th, meeting market estimates.
Costco Wholesale: A Consistent Performer
Costco Wholesale continues to be a favorite of Cramer’s. On October 16th, the company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.16 per share, demonstrating its consistent dividend payouts and financial strength. This, coupled with Costco’s robust performance and loyal customer base, makes it a solid pick in Cramer’s book.
SharkNinja: A Political Play
Cramer lauded SharkNinja as a ‘terrific’ company, but his recommendation carried a political twist. He expressed concern that if Donald Trump were to win the upcoming election, tariffs could significantly impact SharkNinja’s earnings. However, he sees the company as a strong buy if Kamala Harris were to become the next president. This statement highlights the potential impact of political events on individual companies.
Huntington Ingalls: A Need for Clarity
Cramer expressed uncertainty about Huntington Ingalls Industries, saying, “I have to find out what the heck happened to that quarter.” This statement stems from the company’s October 31st report of worse-than-expected third-quarter financial results, accompanied by a revised FY24 revenue outlook and a withdrawal of the 5-year free cash flow outlook. Clearly, some questions remain about Huntington Ingalls’ future performance.
Market Performance
As of Friday’s close, CyberArk shares dipped slightly by 0.1% to $276.16, while Aurora Innovation shares surged 11.8% to $5.81. Costco shares experienced a modest gain of 0.5%, closing at $877.31. Huntington Ingalls saw a 2.3% increase, ending the day at $189.23, while SharkNinja shares fell 3.4% to $89.12.
This episode of ‘Mad Money Lightning Round’ offers valuable insights into Cramer’s investment strategy and provides a glimpse into the current market sentiment surrounding these companies. However, as always, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.