Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – Episode Summary (April 8, 2025)

Released on April 8, 2025

1. Market Turbulence and Tariff Impacts

Timestamp: [01:01]

Jim Cramer opens the episode by addressing the rampant volatility in the stock market, attributing much of the chaos to rapid policy changes and the administration's aggressive tariff strategies. He states, “You know why this market really is so crazy? It's because we can't keep up with the velocity of events” (01:05).

Cramer delves into President Trump's retaliatory tariffs on China, highlighting the sudden imposition of a 104% tariff rate. He critiques the lack of strategic foresight, noting, “No business can afford to eat 104% tariff, which means they have to pass on to their customers” (02:10). This move, according to Cramer, has left the market unprepared, leading to significant stock fluctuations.

2. Impact on Major Corporations

Timestamp: [03:45]

Cramer examines how these tariffs have adversely affected major companies reliant on Chinese manufacturing:

• Apple Inc.: Despite committing over $500 billion to the U.S., Apple’s stock plummeted by 23% over four days. Cramer criticizes the administration’s move, stating, “Apple’s stock is being eviscerated because President Trump won and Vice President Harris lost” (04:20).

• Lululemon Athletica: Once a stellar performer, Lululemon’s stock has fallen from $341 to $247, a 35% decline for the year. Cramer attributes this drop to the company’s substantial manufacturing presence in Vietnam, now subjected to a 46% tariff. He remarks, “It’s a huge increase. So big that it's practically the kiss of death” (07:10).

• RH (Restoration Hardware) and Ralph Lauren: Both companies have seen drastic stock declines due to similar tariff pressures on their Vietnamese production lines. Cramer emphasizes the unsustainable nature of these tariffs, highlighting the lack of feasible alternatives for relocating manufacturing operations swiftly (08:30).

3. Caller Interactions and Stock Recommendations

Timestamp: [09:12]

Cramer engages with listeners seeking advice on various stocks:

• Caller from Indiana on Affirm.AI: Cramer advises patience, categorizing Affirm.AI as an "earnings stock" whose direction hinges on upcoming earnings reports. He suggests, “I think it doesn't really do anything change direction until you have the earnings” (09:21).

• Bill from Utah on AV (Symbol: AV): Despite positive news about AV’s expansion and local investments, Cramer explains the broader market sentiment affecting high-value stocks. He notes, “There's no air. We could have Walid Nawabi on right now and he could tell us how things are going. And things are going great. It just doesn't matter” (10:36).

• Ernie from New York on Intel: Cramer discusses Intel’s partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor, emphasizing the importance of fixing the balance sheet before making significant strategic moves. He warns of continued market volatility, stating, “Investors aren't going to feel confident about the market until the pace of news just slows down” (11:25).

4. In-Depth Interviews

Timestamp: [19:45]

a. Viking Holdings and the Cruise Industry

Cramer interviews Tor Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking Holdings, focusing on the company's innovative steps amidst market challenges. Hagen discusses Viking’s introduction of the first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, aiming for zero emissions by 2026. He explains, “We will have ships… that will operate on hydrogen and be true zero” (20:34).

Despite a 33% stock decline from February highs, Hagen remains optimistic, attributing resilience to Viking’s strong marketing and customer-focused strategies. Cramer acknowledges the difficulty of the current market but praises Viking’s commitment, stating, “I like that you're also coming in against them. It's not like you're not going into the ocean business” (26:37).

b. CrowdStrike and Cybersecurity

In another segment, Cramer speaks with George Kurtz, Founder and CEO of CrowdStrike, about the rising importance of cybersecurity in a volatile geopolitical landscape. Kurtz highlights the company’s role in combating the democratization of cyber threats, noting, “When we think about AI, this is specific to AI… you can multiply the number of adversaries” (30:00).

Kurtz elaborates on CrowdStrike’s recent $32 billion acquisition, positioning it as a validation of the cybersecurity market’s critical role. Cramer commends the company's strategic moves, remarking, “CrowdStrike's worth 400. We went and bought some immediately for my travel trust” (36:36).

5. Lightning Round Highlights

Timestamp: [37:28]

During the Lightning Round, Cramer provides quick buy, sell, and hold recommendations:

• Wilhelm from Iowa on Staging Hunt Transport: Cramer advises caution, acknowledging the challenges for transport companies in a recession (38:18).

• Marty from Arkansas on Krispy Kreme (Symbol: Dnut): He suggests skepticism, noting that despite strong sales figures, the stock remains under pressure due to its high valuation (38:24).

• Denise from New Hampshire on Organon: Cramer expresses concern over the stock's performance relative to its dividend, indicating a need for further analysis before making a recommendation (39:26).

• Obi from Illinois on Service Stock: He warns about the risks associated with expensive stocks in a market averse to high valuations (39:52).

6. Final Thoughts and Opportunities

Timestamp: [40:42]

Wrapping up, Cramer highlights opportunities in the market amidst the ongoing volatility:

• Rubrik (Symbol: Rubrik): Cramer praises Rubrik’s recent performance and strategic positioning in the cybersecurity space. He notes, “Rubrik represents great value” and anticipates continued growth despite market fluctuations (40:42).

Cramer concludes with an optimistic outlook, assuring investors that “there’s always a bull market somewhere” and emphasizing the importance of identifying and capitalizing on these opportunities (46:29).

Notable Quotes

• Jim Cramer on Market Velocity: “You know why this market really is so crazy? It's because we can't keep up with the velocity of events.” (01:05)

• On Apple's Tariff Impact: “Apple’s stock is being eviscerated because President Trump won and Vice President Harris lost.” (04:20)

• On Viking Holdings' Innovation: “We will have ships… that will operate on hydrogen and be true zero.” (20:34)

• On CrowdStrike’s Market Position: “CrowdStrike's worth 400. We went and bought some immediately for my travel trust.” (36:36)

• Closing Optimism: “There’s always a bull market somewhere and I promise I'd find it just for you right here on Mad Money.” (46:29)

Conclusion

In this episode of "Mad Money," Jim Cramer provides a comprehensive analysis of the current stock market's instability, largely driven by aggressive tariff policies and geopolitical tensions. Through detailed discussions and expert interviews with leaders from Viking Holdings and CrowdStrike, Cramer highlights both the challenges and opportunities present for investors. The episode underscores the importance of staying informed and adaptable in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

For listeners seeking actionable insights and in-depth market evaluations, this episode serves as a valuable resource, offering both cautionary advice and strategic recommendations to navigate the complexities of modern investing.