Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – January 15, 2026

Podcast: Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer
Host: Jim Cramer (CNBC)
Episode: 1/14/26

Episode Overview

This episode of Mad Money finds Jim Cramer unpacking a pivotal moment for Wall Street as the market features the "wrong leadership" — with defensive consumer stocks and oils rallying, while growth and cyclical names falter. Cramer dives into the implications of proposed credit card interest rate caps, dissects the mixed reaction to strong bank earnings, spotlights a resurgence in "old tech" stocks, and features an in-depth interview with Biohaven CEO Dr. Vlad Coric on innovative biotech frontiers. The renowned Lightning Round delivers rapid-fire stock takes, and Jim closes with enduring advice on trading versus holding, especially for growth and cyclical stocks.

Main Themes

• The dangers of market leadership shifting to defensive sectors and oils
• Concerns over potential credit card rate caps and their economic implications
• Analysis of major bank earnings and their surprisingly negative market reactions
• The comeback of legacy tech firms (IBM, Cisco, Intel)
• Exclusive interview with Biohaven’s CEO on biotech innovation
• Distinction between trading and long-term investing in various stock categories

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Leadership: Why It Matters

Timestamps: [01:40]–[09:14]

• Cramer opens by noting unease in the market: while indices are only modestly lower, the "wrong stocks are going higher."
• Ideal Bull Market: Growth stocks and banks should be leading, indicating economic expansion and optimism.
• Current Reality:
  • Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and oil stocks are rallying, which historically signals fears of recession and economic headwinds.
  • Bank stocks are “in a state of free fall,” regardless of earnings.
  • Notable quote:

    “When you see [Procter & Gamble] rallying on a bad number, it’s a real tell things could go south.” – Jim Cramer [08:38]

• Policy Risk:
  • President’s push to cap credit card rates at 10% is spooking investors, as it could “ensure that the economy goes bust.”
  • Even if unlikely, the threat alone is driving money out of financials and hurting sectors dependent on consumer credit.
  • Cramer’s concern: “If you cap credit card rates … most people simply won’t qualify for credit cards.” [05:20]

2. Lightning Round – Listener Q&A

Timestamps: [09:14]–[10:28], [41:05]–[43:18]

• Rapid calls on individual stock names.
  • Southern Copper: Too late to buy after a big run. [09:34]

    “I got to tell you, Brett, I think you’re late. I can’t condone it.” – Jim Cramer [09:34]

  • AutoZone: Recent decline is overdone; suggests buying.

    “This company always pivots and always pivots well. I’d be a buyer.” – Jim Cramer [10:22]

• Additional segment at [41:05] features calls about Babcock & Wilcox (wait, up 30% already), and Mountain (needs to make money, “stock is just awful”).

3. Bank Earnings: Good Results, Bad Reactions

Timestamps: [13:08]–[21:04]

• Major banks (JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup) reported strong or solid quarters, but stocks sold off sharply.
• JP Morgan: Solid results, but CEO Jamie Dimon's “Confucius-like” warnings about geopolitical and deficit risks rattled markets.
  • Quote:

    “Jamie warned that ‘geopolitical is an enormous amount of risk.’” – Jim Cramer [14:48]

• Wells Fargo: Missed expectations largely due to cost-cutting and severance.
  • Cramer supports CEO Scharf, but short-term doubts after “legitimate miss.”
• Bank of America: Numbers “astounding,” but stock down 4% out of “guilt by association.”
  • Quote:

    “I think this is really fine quarterback, maybe the best. ... I’m pronouncing it innocent.” [18:47]

• Citigroup: Delivered strong results, benefiting from turnaround efforts; now “too cheap to ignore.” [20:35]
• Bottom Line: Cramer advises patience, sees pain for another week or so, but is optimistic longer-term if policy threats recede.

4. Old Tech’s New Rally: Off the Charts with Bob Lang

Timestamps: [22:45]–[31:29]

• Cramer, with chartist Bob Lang, analyzes IBM, Cisco, and Intel as standout performers among legacy tech — now retooled for the AI era:
  • IBM:
    • Breakout above resistance, positive momentum, strong hybrid cloud and AI business.
    • “Not too late to buy IBM.” [25:08]
  • Cisco:
    • Rebounding after December decline, set for further gains if technical levels break.
    • “I think you buy Cisco right here.” [28:56]
  • Intel:
    • Benefiting from government and Nvidia’s investment, on an uptrend but close to overbought.
    • “Intel’s making a run at $55… could see it eventually going … into the high 60s.” [30:21]
• Quote:

  “2026 could be the year of old tech companies that have found a place for themselves in the modern world.” – Jim Cramer [30:58]

5. Exclusive Biohaven Interview: Innovation in Biotech

Timestamps: [33:19]–[40:44]

• Guest: Dr. Vlad Coric, Chairman & CEO of Biohaven
• Key Points:
  • Mission: To develop paradigm-shifting therapies as if “family members of ours are suffering from those diseases.” [33:33]
  • Lead programs in Precision Immunology, Obesity, and Epilepsy:
    • Novel obesity drug (T Alpha) aims to reduce fat but increase skeletal muscle mass.
    • Degrader technology targets disease-causing antibodies without immunosuppression; first human data in kidney disease (IgA nephropathy) is promising.

      “We’re able to target disease-causing pathogens in your blood and degrade them and not touch anything else.” – Dr. Coric [36:19]

    • Epilepsy drug class (KV7 activators) aims for efficacy with fewer side effects.
  • Resilience after setbacks: Focus on a diversified pipeline.
  • Funding: Recent capital raise oversubscribed, notable new investors.

    “Just last week we got contacted by a big fund who took 10% of the company, Janus Henderson.” – Dr. Coric [38:57]

  • Dr. Coric addresses competing against big pharma by referencing past success with migraine drug Nurtec ODT.

    “We did it before…we think we can do it again.” [37:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On market signals and caution:

  “That’s a real tell that things could go south.” – Jim Cramer [08:38]

• On proposed credit card interest caps:

  “If you cap credit card rates at 10% ... most people simply won’t qualify for credit cards.” – Jim Cramer [05:20]

• On trading vs. holding:

  “When you find some amazing secular growth stories ... you want to be the holder, not the trader. You want to make dollars. Leave the pennies to the traders.” – Jim Cramer [45:13]

• On the new tech rally:

  “2026 could be the year that legacy tech ... make a new name for themselves.” – Jim Cramer [30:58]

Segment Highlights & Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | Key Takeaway | |----------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:40–09:14 | Opening Monologue: Market Concerns | Wrong sector leadership signals investor angst over economy, credit policy risks weigh on banks and dependent sectors. | | 09:14–10:28 | Lightning Round (Pt. 1) | Calls on Southern Copper, AutoZone; be wary of buying parabolic stocks. | | 13:08–21:04 | Bank Earnings Deep Dive | Major banks posted strong quarters but sold off; investors spooked by policy risks and high expectations. | | 22:45–31:29 | Charting the “Old Tech” Comeback | Technical and strategic reviews of IBM, Cisco, Intel — old tech is new again, and still offers upside. | | 33:19–40:44 | Interview: Biohaven CEO Dr. Vlad Coric| Company rebounds from pipeline setbacks, focusing on precision immunology, innovative obesity drugs, and epilepsy therapies.| | 41:05–43:18 | Lightning Round (Pt. 2) | More stock takes: Babcock & Wilcox (wait); Mountain (avoid); everyday wisdom from callers and Cramer. | | 43:32–47:44 | Trading vs. Holding Wisdom | When to “schnitzel” cyclical stocks, but always hold “hero” growth stocks like Nvidia. |

Final Takeaways

• Maintain hedges (Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Merck) amid market uncertainty, especially if defensive sectors lead.
• Policy overhang (credit card rate cap) makes banks volatile near-term but don’t panic sell if the economy holds up.
• Don’t chase parabolic moves; be selective and patient, especially with cyclical names.
• Old tech (IBM, Cisco, Intel) represents resilient value—still offers room to run thanks to smart reinvention.
• Trading around positions suits cyclicals; hold secular, best-of-breed growth stocks tightly for long-term wealth creation.
• Biohaven is a case study in biotech resilience—innovation, diversified pipeline, and fighting with giants.
• “Bull markets are summer. I promise I’d find it, just for you, right here.” – Jim Cramer [47:35]

For anyone who missed the episode, this summary captures the urgent tone, practical wisdom, and actionable insights Jim Cramer brought to January’s uncertain markets and illustrates why, in his words, “it always gets better.”