Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – Episode Summary (July 29, 2025)

Hosted by CNBC’s Jim Cramer, the July 29, 2025 episode of “Mad Money” delves into the tumultuous landscape of Wall Street, analyzing recent corporate earnings, market movements, and future investment opportunities. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented throughout the episode.

1. Market Performance and Overview

Jim Cramer opens the episode by addressing the recent downturn in the stock market. Highlighting significant losses, he emphasizes the disconnect between Wall Street’s performance and underlying economic challenges.

• Market Declines: “The Dow lost 205 points. The S&P dipped 0.3%. The Nasdaq declined 0.38%.” (01:10)

Cramer attributes these declines to a combination of unmet earnings expectations, tariff-induced economic strain, and weakening consumer sentiment. He underscores the skepticism surrounding potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in response to these challenges.

2. Impact of Tariffs and Consumer Sentiment

The episode focuses on how tariffs have adversely affected major corporations and, by extension, the broader economy. Cramer scrutinizes the earnings reports of several household names, illustrating the tangible impact of trade policies.

a. United Parcel Service (UPS)

UPS reported a dismal quarter, reflecting the strain tariffs have placed on its operations.

• CEO Carol Tome: “Despite uncertainties around trade policies in the second quarter, the overall economy remained resilient.” (04:15)
• Consumer Impact: “Our sector, specifically the U.S. small package segment, was unfavorably impacted by U.S. consumer sentiment at historic lows.” (05:00)

Cramer's analysis reveals that UPS’s stock fell over 10% following the announcement, signaling investor concern over sustained consumer weakness.

b. Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool, expected to benefit from tariffs, instead faced significant setbacks.

• Earnings Forecast Revision: “We took our earnings forecast down from $10 per share to the $6 to $8 range.” (07:30)
• Dividend Cut: “We are reducing our quarterly payout from $0.75 per share to $0.90.” (08:15)

Cramer notes Whirlpool’s 13% stock decline as a direct consequence of failed tariff advantages, highlighting the volatility introduced by international trade tensions.

c. Stanley Black & Decker

Another casualty of tariff pressures, Stanley Black & Decker experienced a 7% drop in its stock price.

• Weak Consumer Spending: “A weak consumer who seems to have backed away from do-it-yourself projects, coupled with an inevitable $800 million tariff hit.” (10:45)

Cramer criticizes the impact of President Trump’s policies on companies moving jobs overseas, exacerbating financial strains.

d. PayPal

Contrary to robust consumer spending reports, PayPal reported slower growth, attributing it to tariff fears.

• CFO Jamie Miller: “We observed a slight softening in retail spending in the U.S., most apparent in areas likely impacted by tariffs.” (12:20)

This led to an over 8% decline in PayPal’s stock, surprising both Cramer and the market given recent positive consumer spending indicators.

3. Federal Reserve’s Policy Implications

Cramer discusses the dilemma faced by the Federal Reserve in light of mixed economic signals. While some sectors show strength, others indicate significant weaknesses that may necessitate policy adjustments.

• Interest Rate Cuts: “Only some strength in a handful of industrials and taxes seems to cut in favor of standing pat today.” (02:45)

He questions whether the Fed will act to mitigate economic slowdown or maintain current rates despite growing concerns.

4. Positive Earnings Highlights

Amid the negative reports, Cramer briefly touches on companies that bucked the trend, though he suggests skepticism about their long-term resilience.

• Boeing: Despite hitting a 52-week high and reporting strong cash flow, Boeing’s stock saw a slight dip, indicating investor caution.

Cramer remains bullish on specific companies but warns of potential overvaluation.

5. Takeover Activity and Market Consolidation

Cramer highlights ongoing merger and acquisition activities, noting that while some deals are progressing, antitrust concerns could delay approvals.

• Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern: “Assuming the deal gets approved, it will create a continent-wide railroad colossus.” (09:30)

He remains optimistic about the likelihood of these consolidations under the current administration but acknowledges regulatory hurdles.

6. Deep Dive Interviews

a. Merck CEO Rob Davis (16:17)

Cramer interviews Rob Davis, Merck’s Chairman and CEO, focusing on the mixed earnings report and Merck’s strategic acquisitions.

• Keyqudra Success: “Winreld reached a $1 billion sales run rate, demonstrating meaningful impact on patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.” (18:10)
• Gardasil Challenges: “In China, we faced an overall softness in the market due to economic struggles, impacting vaccination rates.” (19:19)

Davis emphasizes Merck’s diversified pipeline and strategic acquisitions to mitigate the looming patent cliff of Keytruda.

Cramer praises Merck’s resilience and strategic direction, considering the stock “very inexpensive.”

b. Waste Management CEO Jim Fish (35:12)

Cramer engages with Jim Fish, CEO of Waste Management, discussing the company’s robust performance and strategic initiatives.

• Forever Stock: “A stock that performs well, quarter in and quarter out, year in and year out.” (35:31)
• Acquisitions Success: “The acquisition of Star Cycle has been fantastic, enhancing our resilience against economic fluctuations.” (36:02)

Fish highlights Waste Management’s steady growth, strategic acquisitions, and defensive positioning against regulatory challenges. Cramer lauds the company’s stability and growth prospects.

7. Figma IPO Analysis (25:39)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Figma’s Initial Public Offering (IPO), assessing its valuation, growth prospects, and market reception.

• Revenue Growth: “Figma achieved a 48% revenue growth last year, maintaining strong growth rates this quarter.” (28:10)
• Operating Margins: “Operating income grew by a staggering 369% last year.” (29:00)

Cramer evaluates Figma’s impressive growth metrics against market skepticism, citing concerns about overvaluation despite strong foundational numbers.

• Rule of 40: “Their revenue growth and positive operating margins exceed the Rule of 40 benchmark, indicating a solid business.” (31:20)

He expresses cautious optimism, suggesting that while Figma’s IPO is poised for success, potential overpricing could limit long-term gains.

8. Lightning Round Highlights (42:47)

In the rapid-fire segment, Cramer addresses listener questions on various stocks, offering succinct investment opinions.

• Toyota Motor Company: “The new deal with Japan could act as a catalyst, but after recent gains, I’m taking a pass.” (43:20)
• Advanced Auto Parts vs. AutoZone: “I’m saying no to Advanced Auto Parts and yes to AutoZone.” (44:30)
• ServiceNow: “Despite fantastic guidance, the multiple is high, and I’m moving away from enterprise software.” (44:50)
• Fortinet (Fortnet) and CrowdStrike: “Wait for a dip before buying CrowdStrike.” (45:00)

Cramer provides actionable insights, balancing optimism with caution across various sectors.

9. Energy Sector and Deregulation Insights (45:20)

Cramer explores the impact of deregulation on the U.S. energy sector, particularly focusing on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

• LNG Export Capacity: “We have between 40 to 60 liquefaction trains operational or under construction, each costing $4-5 billion.” (46:10)
• Global Demand: “Europe has committed to spending $750 billion on American natural gas over the next three years.” (47:05)
• Regulatory Shifts: “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is fast-tracking pipelines, revitalizing the LNG industry post-deregulation.” (48:00)

Cramer advocates for the benefits of deregulation in boosting the fossil fuel industry, enhancing U.S. geopolitical influence, and driving economic growth. He highlights recent acquisitions, such as Baker Hughes’s $13.6 billion purchase of Chart Industries, as indicative of the sector’s bullish outlook.

10. Concluding Remarks

Jim Cramer wraps up the episode by reinforcing key investment themes: the mixed signals from corporate earnings, the strategic importance of deregulation in the energy sector, and the cautious optimism surrounding high-growth IPOs like Figma. He encourages listeners to stay informed and seize opportunities in both established and emerging markets.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Jim Cramer (04:15): “Our sector, specifically the U.S. small package segment, was unfavorably impacted by U.S. consumer sentiment at historic lows.”
• Rob Davis (18:10): “Winreld is reaching a $1 billion sales run rate, demonstrating meaningful impact on patients.”
• Jim Fish (35:31): “A stock that performs well, quarter in and quarter out, year in and year out.”
• Jim Cramer (25:39): “Figma achieved a 48% revenue growth last year, maintaining strong growth rates this quarter.”
• Jim Cramer (46:10): “We have between 40 to 60 liquefaction trains operational or under construction, each costing $4-5 billion.”

Conclusion

This episode of “Mad Money” presents a critical examination of current market dynamics, emphasizing the repercussions of trade policies on major corporations and the broader economy. Through in-depth interviews and strategic analysis, Jim Cramer provides listeners with actionable insights and a balanced perspective on navigating the complexities of Wall Street.

For those seeking to understand the interplay between corporate earnings, regulatory changes, and investment opportunities, this episode serves as a valuable resource, encapsulating the volatile yet opportunistic nature of today's financial markets.