Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – Episode Summary (April 2, 2025)

Released on April 2, 2025, “Mad Money” with Jim Cramer delves deep into the tumultuous landscape of Wall Street, focusing on recent tariff announcements, market volatility, and specific stock analyses. This episode provides listeners with insightful discussions, expert opinions, and actionable investment advice.

1. Introduction and Market Overview

Jim Cramer opens the episode with a fervent discussion on the latest tariff announcements by President Trump, labeling it "Liberation Day." He emphasizes the administration's aggressive stance to impose tariffs on trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China, aiming to protect American industries.

Jim Cramer [01:34]: "Welcome to Liberation Day where market does to all of our trading partners like we did to the Red coast in days of your it's time to make a pay."

Cramer expresses skepticism about the long-term benefits of these tariffs, suggesting they could have dire consequences for both foreign businesses and American consumers.

2. Tariffs and Political Impact

Cramer critiques the President's tariff strategy, highlighting the lack of clear communication and the potential negative impact on the stock market. He points out that while the administration aims to punish trading partners, the immediate effect is a drop in stock prices and increased consumer prices.

Jim Cramer [04:00]: "The President's view is simple. Our so-called trading partners will either eat the tariff or the people who sell the product will eat the tariff."

He warns investors to brace for volatility, stating that the administration prioritizes political gains over market stability.

3. Deep Dive: PVH’s Performance

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing PVH Corp., the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Cramer recounts PVH's tumultuous year, marked by fluctuating earnings reports and stock prices.

Jim Cramer [14:30]: "On Monday night we got something very surprising. It was a much better than expected earnings report from PVH."

Despite a previous decline due to poor forecasts, PVH delivered strong quarterly results with an 18% stock jump, indicating a potential turnaround. Cramer discusses the company's strategic initiatives, such as cost-cutting and investment in growth, which may position PVH for future success.

Jim Cramer [21:23]: "They keep reporting strong quarters with healthy full year forecasts, but then they issued disappointing guidance for the next quarter, undermining all the positive things they said."

He advises caution, suggesting that while PVH shows promise, investors should monitor subsequent quarterly performances before making substantial investments.

4. Understanding Market Volatility

Cramer introduces Mark Sebastian, a volatility expert from OptionPit.com, to discuss the current state of the VIX (Volatility Index). Together, they analyze the unprecedented volatility signals following the tariff announcements.

Jim Cramer [23:06]: "There's an immense amount of fear out there. Hence the action in the lead up to the announcement."

Sebastian explains that the VIX’s elevated levels indicate significant market anxiety, predicting turbulent trading days ahead. He forecasts a potential 2.1% swing in the S&P 500 over the next few days, urging investors to prepare for heightened market fluctuations.

Mark Sebastian [25:00]: "The option market is betting on a 120-point move on Friday. That's an insane 2.1% swing in either direction."

Cramer underscores the importance of understanding volatility to navigate the uncertain market landscape effectively.

5. Expert Insights: Ryan Peterson on Tariffs

In an exclusive interview, Ryan Peterson, CEO of Flexport, shares his expertise on the newly announced reciprocal tariffs. Peterson elaborates on the complexities and potential repercussions of these tariffs on global supply chains.

Ryan Peterson [31:32]: "It's a messy situation and really kind of hot off the presses. We're all still waiting for some of these things to be published in an executive order."

Peterson highlights the unpredictability of the tariffs, advising businesses to adopt a wait-and-see approach before making long-term supply chain decisions.

Ryan Peterson [35:24]: "I would expect more of those types of things to happen in the weeks to come and that we may ratchet this back down from where we are."

Cramer emphasizes the need for businesses and investors to remain adaptable amidst the evolving trade policies.

6. Listener Q&A and Stock Recommendations

Throughout the episode, Cramer engages with listeners’ queries about specific stocks, providing personalized investment advice:

• BlackRock: Cramer praises BlackRock’s CEO letter and its strong performance but cautions about impending tariff impacts.

  Jim Cramer [09:51]: "BlackRock is doing incredibly well. But tomorrow, President Trump has issued an edict which is that your stock's going to go down."

• Newsmax: Described as a “meme stock,” Newsmax is deemed unpredictable due to its reliance on social media trends.

  Jim Cramer [10:19]: "It's not determined by buyers and sellers of traditional ilk. It's unpredictable."

• Solar Stocks: Cramer advises selling solar stocks in favor of more stable options like Capital One.

  Jim Cramer [11:21]: "Sell out and buy Capital One, there will be no good news in solar."

7. Lightning Round Highlights

The Lightning Round features a series of rapid-fire questions from listeners, with Cramer delivering swift buy, sell, or hold recommendations:

• OKLO (Clean Energy): Cramer recommends selling despite his personal belief in nuclear power, citing long-term development horizons.

  Jim Cramer [40:47]: "I'm going to have to say sell, sell, sell."

• BRT Avertive (Data Centers): Advises selling due to market emotions overshadowing the company’s strong performance.

  Jim Cramer [40:24]: "It's going to go down about between 10 and 15% off this news."

• ON Holding (Footwear): Endorses gradual investment, cautioning against lump-sum purchases in a volatile market.

  Jim Cramer [42:02]: "Don't buy it all at once because this market is horrible."

• MTN Vale Resorts: Shows interest in the severely dipped stock, indicating potential for rebound.

  Jim Cramer [43:05]: "This stock has come down so hard. I'm getting real interested in MTN."

8. In-Depth Analysis: CoreWeave IPO

Later in the episode, Cramer provides an extensive analysis of CoreWeave’s Initial Public Offering (IPO), highlighting its significance in the AI and data center sectors. He illustrates how CoreWeave serves as a critical infrastructure for AI advancements, despite facing negative press and stock volatility.

Jim Cramer [43:45]: "Core Weave is the glue that holds the data center together. It's the preferred vendor."

Cramer recounts CoreWeave’s stock performance, noting its rapid ascent from $37 to $61 within two days, attributing this surge to the company's essential role in AI-driven industries and the market's eventual recognition of its value.

9. Final Market Thoughts

Concluding the episode, Cramer reflects on the market’s current state, expressing frustration with persistent negativity and market manipulation by futures traders. He remains optimistic about finding lucrative investment opportunities amidst the chaos, emphasizing his commitment to helping listeners navigate the volatile landscape.

Jim Cramer [43:45]: "Let's rewind the tape to the core. We've IPO everyone loved this thing... But the stock shoots up to the low 60s, closing at 61 and change."

He reiterates his bullish stance, assuring listeners that despite short-term setbacks, strategic investments can yield significant returns.

Conclusion

This episode of “Mad Money” offers a comprehensive examination of the intersection between political policies and market dynamics. Jim Cramer provides valuable insights into managing investments amidst uncertainty, supported by expert opinions and real-time market analysis. Whether navigating tariffs, understanding volatility, or evaluating specific stocks, listeners are equipped with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.

For a more detailed exploration of today's topics and investment strategies, tuning into the full episode is highly recommended.