Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – August 26, 2025 Episode Summary

Episode Overview

In this episode of “Mad Money,” Jim Cramer navigates through the intricate world of Wall Street, focusing on how political drama and economic headlines intersect with stock choices and portfolio decisions. Addressing the latest controversy surrounding President Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and potential mortgage fraud allegations, Cramer challenges the notion that Washington headlines should heavily influence investing strategies. The episode is classic Cramer—fiery, opinionated, and firmly grounded in practical investing advice. Key segments include deep dives into Nvidia (NVDA), TJX’s stellar quarter, the volatile agricultural commodities market, a unique interview with Breitling’s CEO, and the famed Lightning Round.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Washington Drama and Its (Limited) Stock Market Impact

[00:41 – 10:53]

• Lisa Cook Controversy:
  • President Trump’s attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud has rattled political circles, with Wall Street insiders worrying about Federal Reserve independence.
  • Cramer’s take: While headlines about the White House threatening the Fed’s independence make for cable news drama, they have little actual effect on major stocks like Nvidia or the broader market’s P/E multiples.
    • “On a day where The Dow gained 136 points... all I heard today was people wondering if the market should be rallying when the President’s trying to fire a Fed governor… To which I say, at this point, when it comes to the prices of stocks… who cares?” — Jim Cramer [01:17]
• Ignore the Noise, Focus on Investing:
  • Cramer urges listeners to focus on earnings, innovation, and business fundamentals—especially for bellwether stocks like Nvidia—rather than getting swept up in political outrage.
    • “More importantly, I say own Nvidia, don’t trade it. Regardless of what’s happened with Lisa Cook’s second mortgage application…” — Jim Cramer [03:35]
  • Most investors want actionable stock advice, not civics lessons.
    • “You don’t come to me for a civics lesson. You come to me to ask me if you should buy or sell Nvidia. I say buy, or at least hold.” — Jim Cramer [10:05]

2. Personal Anecdotes Illustrating Wall Street’s Focus

• Everyday Encounters:
  • Cramer shares stories from daily life—at the MRI, elevator, or with strangers—all asking about stock tips, not macro policy.
    • “The person who straps me in the MRI… wants to know whether I still like Palo Alto Networks or if he just bought some for the trust. It looks real good.” — Jim Cramer [06:43]
  • Message: Main Street cares about making money, not Beltway drama.

3. The Case for Nvidia Ahead of Earnings

• While market chatter obsesses over politics, Cramer zeroes in on Nvidia’s fundamentals, upcoming quarterly report, and the total cost of ownership for the new Grace Blackwell chip, especially versus shareholder-critical issues like China sales.

4. Caller Q&A Highlights

[10:53 – 11:54, then Lightning Round at 38:50 – 42:29]

• Eli Lilly (LLY):
  • Memory loss drug isn’t the key driver—focus is on the new weight loss pill, which warrants excitement and explains the stock’s rally.
    • “If you strip out the people who don’t… this pill is going to lose you, I think, between 12 and 15 pounds. And that’s why Lilly, instead of being up 12, went up 40.” — Jim Cramer [12:21]
• Costco (COST):
  • Strong approval: “You got a winner in Costco right here, right now.” — Jim Cramer [22:55]

Key Segments and Themes

Retail Earnings Deep Dive: TJX

[11:54 – 20:35]

• Why TJX Is Winning:
  • Exceptional quarter: Accelerated revenue and same-store sales growth across all divisions.
  • “Investors figured that with a much softer labor market, consumers will be more inclined to go bargain hunting. And nobody does bargains better than TJX.” — Jim Cramer [12:55]
  • Gross margins, comp sales, and guidance all beat expectations, resulting in new all-time highs for the stock.
  • Merchandise Model:
    • TJX thrives on buying excess inventory at discounts, passing on the “treasure hunt” experience to consumers.
    • CFO John Klinger: “Confident that availability of merchandise will continue to be outstanding.” — Quoted by Cramer [15:19]
  • Cramer’s Verdict:
    • “I’m betting TJX has more to run… wouldn’t be surprised if this stock becomes a semi-permanent resident of the new high list for the rest of the year.” — Jim Cramer [20:09]
  • Memorable moment: Cramer flashes Buffalo jeans he bought at a huge TJX discount—personal proof of value.

Off the Charts: Commodities Market Breakdown

[21:40 – 28:50]

• Corn:
  • Market is repeating 2014’s bear cycle, with prices likely approaching a floor soon ($3.50 – $5.00 range).
• Cattle:
  • Parabolic rise in prices, but market may be overbought and poised for a collapse—bull market could soon run out of steam.
• Coffee:
  • Recent rally echoes previous bull markets that ended with steep corrections.
    • “If not for the existence of natural gas futures, coffee would be considered the commodity widowmaker.” — Jim Cramer [26:18]
• Investment Takeaway:
  • “Commodities are inherently boom and bust, nothing’s more commoditized than the ag complex.” — Jim Cramer [29:25]
  • Good news for companies like Starbucks and Texas Roadhouse, which could see tailwinds from price reversals.

Interview: Breitling CEO Georges Kern

[33:19 – 38:50]

• NFL Partnership:
  • Breitling to become the official timepiece of the NFL, with team-specific watches launching (starting at $3,500–$7,200).
  • U.S. is now Breitling’s largest market (22–23% of sales).
    • “The NFL is the ultimate American sports…it’s a family gathering. Over a hundred million people are watching the Super Bowl and we are the first luxury brand partnering with the NFL.” — Georges Kern [33:32]
• Tariffs & U.S. Investment:
  • Kern is “a little bit under shock” from new tariffs—argues Switzerland is a major investor and employer in the U.S.
  • Cramer sympathizes, noting the disconnect between trade policy and real economic investment.
• Global NFL Brand:
  • Kern confident global NFL games will boost Breitling globally; partnership is the company's “single biggest investment as a brand worldwide.”

Policy Opinion: Tariffs and American Manufacturing Nostalgia

[42:39 – 45:41]

• Furniture Tariffs:
  • New push by President Trump for tariffs on foreign furniture, citing national security concerns.
  • Cramer’s take:
    • National security argument is dubious—unlike steel, semiconductors, or rare earths.
    • Nostalgia for American-made furniture isn’t an actionable economic policy; the industry’s jobs and skills have largely moved on, making a full “revival” unrealistic.
    • “Nostalgia is not a policy. Sometimes you just have to accept that the bargain we made had a lot more downside in people’s lives…” — Jim Cramer [45:25]

Memorable Quotes

• “If somebody told you to sell stocks because of headline from Washington, you… would have been dead wrong.” — Jim Cramer [08:49]
• “Main Street cares about making money, not Beltway drama.”
• “There have been so many shocking things coming from the White House that they’re no longer shocking. At some point, this stuff gets priced in.” — Jim Cramer [05:09]
• On TJX: “1999. Can you believe it? I’m crushing it.” — Jim Cramer, on buying $109 jeans for $19.99 at TJX [17:19]
• On Cattle Market: “This is the most volatile cattle market in the history of cattle.” — Jim Cramer [24:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Start | Segment | Highlight | |---------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:41 | Opening Market Take & Washington News | The Cook controversy’s non-effect on Nvidia | | 06:43 | Cramer’s Personal Anecdotes | MRI tech wants stock tips, not policy discussion | | 11:54 | TJX Earnings Breakdown | Why TJX thrives in a tough retail environment | | 21:40 | Commodities “Off the Charts” | Corn, cattle, and coffee price predictions | | 33:19 | Breitling Interview | NFL partnership & Swiss tariff discussion | | 38:50 | Lightning Round | Fast stock takes, practical investing advice | | 42:39 | Furniture Tariffs Commentary | America’s nostalgia vs. economic reality |

Conclusion: Cramer’s Core Message

• Ignore the noise from Washington, and invest with a focus on fundamental business metrics.
• Retail winners like TJX are thriving due to operational excellence in tough climates.
• Commodities markets are extreme but cyclical—don’t chase the boom, look for the bust.
• International business partnerships and tariffs remain complex and unpredictable.
• Nostalgia shouldn’t dictate policy—sound investing relies on forward-looking analysis.
• At the end of the day, “I’m going to keep trying to help people make money in stocks… The viewers are my real bosses, and that’s who I play for.” — Jim Cramer [10:08]

This summary covers the episode’s primary content, flows in Jim Cramer’s energetic, off-the-cuff style, and provides clear pointers for investors seeking actionable insight.