I was channel surfing the other night and came across Jim Cramer's show Mad Money. I know, I know, for most investment professional the thought of taking advice from a ranting Jim Cramer is ridiculous. Except that between his histrionics, he said some things that made sense. He recommended a stock that supplies slot machines to the gambling industry. Gambling is a growing global phenom and this company is nicely positioned. Seems to make sense (sorry I don't remember the name of the company).
He also recommended American Woodmark (AMWD) a company that produces home cabinets and other kitchen and bathroom products for sale at Home Depot and Lowes. The stock has hardly done well over the last year. Which is why Cramer likes it. They are still making money and are initiating a buyback of over 20% of their outstanding shares. He thinks it is a sign of strength and the company will survive the housing slowdown and do well.
I also will admit to catching a show he did about six months ago. My wife and I watched his antics and quite frankly laughed through it. On the show, he covered Apple and said that with the upcoming launch of new iPods, its continued growth in the computer market, and the upcoming launch of its new cellphone, the stock would do well. I honestly didn't think much of his advice until I looked at the chart the other day. I wasn't laughing anymore.
Of couse, not everything Cramer touches or touts does well. As the Cramer-watching Blog stockTagger reported on one recommendation:
NYSE Euronext (NYX) has been a debacle for Mad Money viewers ever since Jim Cramer named it his growth stock of the year for 2007 on January 4th
Apparently everything Cramer buys is done through a charity trust so he can’t profit from his recommendations.
I don’t know, it’s easy to knock Cramer but this guy has already made hundreds of millions of dollars as a trader, started a successful company (TheStreet.com), and now has a highly rated television show. It’s hard not to think that maybe he does have a bit of a Midas Touch and that perhaps he isn’t just spouting hot air.
Comments
michael
September 01, 2007
beloney. he made his money in one of the best bull markets of any era by taking a percentage off the top.
try checking out how his action alert plus has done compared to the overall market in recent years. I doubt its really that impressive. when one has as many bad calls as good in a bull market it looks like he is just guessing.
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Nick
September 27, 2007
Umm, tell me one person who isn't "guessing"? Better yet, I'll give you a million buck if you can name a person who's can actually predict! I do agree his action alert plus isn't much to boast about, but you need to realize he has restrictions now and can't freely trade like when he was a fund mgr. The last few years is one of the best bull market run too. Don't get me wrong, Cramer lost me a lot money since I bump into this show 2 years ago. I need to establish some discipline, learn how not to panic, do homework, etc. He does have some good reasonings and experience beyond my knowledge but sounds logical.
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Arthur
March 23, 2008
His picks don't look so great now. American Woodmark was a bad call and Apple's stock has imploded. I wonder if he recommended people get out of Apple. I doubt it.
You can't predict the market. Get into an index fund or Index etf and spend your time doing something else other than following stocks.
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