Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer – Episode Summary (9/22/25)

Episode Overview

In this energetic episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer explores the pitfalls and rewards of disciplined investing through real-time market movements, focusing on the explosive performance of Apple and Nvidia. Cramer shares strategies for sticking with long-term winners versus being shaken out by negative narratives and market noise. The episode also features his in-depth investing screen for undervalued S&P 500 stocks, an interview with IonQ’s CEO on quantum computing, and the signature Lightning Round of rapid-fire stock opinions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Case for Discipline in Investing: Apple & Nvidia’s Performance

[01:39–09:19]

• Cramer’s Core Premise:
  Most investors underperform because they trade too much and capitulate on great stocks due to negative media narratives and Wall Street pressure. Cramer argues emphatically for owning—not trading—the best growth stocks.

• Apple’s Turnaround:

  • Despite a “wall of negatives” about its iPhone 17 launch, especially regarding China sales, tariffs, and lack of AI, Apple’s new products sparked record demand.
  • Quote (Jim Cramer, 04:53):
    “The more I studied the new models, the more I realized these were really special...If you didn't catch my enthusiasm in Kentucky when we spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook at the Corning factory...you might have sensed it when I interviewed Cook at the actual 17 launch in New York city.”
  • T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert confirmed Apple iPhone sales hit all-time highs:
    Quote (Mike Sievert via Cramer, 06:33):
    “We just had the biggest iPhone weekend. We're up double digits from a year ago...Boom. Right in the face of a typical piece of bearish research.”

• Nvidia’s Winning Streak:

  • Despite anxiety about China and competition, the company announced a massive $100B investment with OpenAI to build 10-gigawatt data centers, reinforcing Nvidia’s dominance in AI infrastructure.
  • Quote (Jim Cramer, 08:05):
    “Who cares about China? Only the people who traded the stock and are no longer in it, not those who owned it.”

• Cramer’s Takeaway:
  Quote (Jim Cramer, 08:54):
  “It’s incredibly difficult to make money in any market if all you’re going to do is trade...individual stocks are where the biggest money is, provided you got the fortitude to stick around...”

2. Lightning Round – Stock Q&A

[09:20–11:44 / 39:27–42:58]

Cramer fields live questions with punchy, actionable advice:

• Reddit:
  Don’t add after a rally unless the stock drops more.
• ConAgra:
  Avoid stocks with high dividends but no growth.
• Boeing:
  Charitable Trust is opening a position for the first time in years due to improving fundamentals, production, and defense contracts.
• Rivian:
  Wait, don’t buy after a spike—factory buildout is risky if economic conditions slow.
• Key picks in the Lightning Round:
  • Energy Fuels (UUUU): Supported due to the strength of uranium/nuclear.
  • KeyMorris (CC): Undervalued but avoid due to legal risks (“forever chemicals”).
  • Gilat Satellite (GILT): Can buy even at highs due to sector momentum.
  • AST SpaceMobile (ASTS): Good as a speculative stock—but only one like this per portfolio.
  • Ambarella (AMBA): Has rallied; no longer a buy.

3. Boeing: Deep Dive and Investment Thesis

[13:27–19:28]

Cramer elaborates on why he’s now bullish on Boeing for the Charitable Trust after years on the sidelines:

• Global Demand:
  Only Boeing and Airbus can supply large quantities of commercial jets. Recent orders from UK, Qatar, UAE, Japan, Korea, and potential China deal.

• Fixing Internal Issues:
  New CEO Kelly Ortberg has improved quality control and balance sheet.

• Defense Win:
  Recently won Air Force contract for next-gen fighter jets.

• Labor Disputes:
  Factory strikes are a short-term issue; historically Boeing navigates these well.

• Balance Sheet Improvement:
  Raised capital and sold off digital aviation assets to focus on aircraft.

• Quote (Jim Cramer, 18:38):
  “Long story short, Boeing's now officially a charitable trust holding thanks to the stock's recent hard pullback...the company's gradually ramping up production... much better [balance sheet]...line of sight to positive free cash flow.”

4. Cramer’s Screen: Growth at a Reasonable Price

[20:13–27:49]

With markets at highs, Cramer shows how to find undervalued growth stocks:

• Screen Criteria:
  S&P 500 stocks with above-average growth, below-average P/E.

• Total Found: 104; narrowed to 86 excluding energy/materials.

• Sector & Stock Highlights:

  • Telecom: T-Mobile – growth & reasonable valuation despite CEO transition.
  • Consumer Discretionary: Royal Caribbean, Expedia (trades much cheaper than Booking).
  • Staples: Dollar Tree (after spinning off Family Dollar).
  • Financials: Capital One, American Express, Citigroup (remarkable turnaround under Jane Fraser), KeyCorp.
  • Industrials: Caterpillar, Cummins (data center power angle), Jacobs Solutions (data centers, pharma plants).
  • Tech: Dell Technologies, Jabil.
  • Healthcare: Incyte (oncology, dermatology).
  • REIT: Boston Properties (BXP) after dividend trim; growth investment.
  • Utility: Entergy (growth from data center construction, LNG export buildout).

• Quote (Jim Cramer, 26:53):
  “Sometimes it can feel like there’s nothing left to buy…When you do a little work you can find a host of cheaper than average stocks with above average growth.”

5. CEO Interview: IonQ’s Quantum Leap

[30:33–39:07]

Cramer speaks with IonQ CEO Nicola Damasi about the fast-evolving field of quantum computing:

• Strategic Moves:

  • Department of Energy partnership on quantum tech in space.
  • IonQ positions itself as “the Nvidia of quantum,” participating in major US–UK investments.

• Product Breakthroughs:

  • Announced AQ64 quantum computer: “36 quadrillion times” more powerful than competition.
  • Minimal energy use compared to traditional data center hardware.
  • Quantum key distribution (QKD) claimed to be “theoretically unbreakable.”

• Growth vs. Profit:
  Damasi and Cramer agree: focus on expansion, not short-term profitability.

  • Quote (Nicola Damasi, 35:31):
    “We have expanded the vision…accelerated our technical roadmap…being able to land and expand with any one of these quantum services...”
  • Quote (Jim Cramer, 38:47):
    “I’m rooting for the good guys…Don’t sacrifice growth for profitability. Don’t listen to those people.”

• Memorable Moment:
  Damasi quips about needing a full hour with Cramer next time—agreeing to the “growth over profitability” mantra.

6. Post-Lightning Round: Rotation Out of Industrials and Other Sectors

[43:34–47:04]

• Data Center Mania:
  Industrials are out of favor unless they’re tied to data center growth. Cramer believes this is short-sighted.
• Market Psychology:
  Wall Street sees industrials as “no-win” due to rate cut expectations tied to economic strength/weakness.
• Consumer Packaged Goods & Health Care:
  Both sectors are struggling with inflation and regulatory headwinds.
• Quote (Jim Cramer, 46:17):
  “Which is why in the end you need to own real growth stocks and the only real growth is tech. It won’t be kept down by inflation...just too much demand...”

Notable Quotes

• Jim Cramer (on long-term investing):
  “Individual stocks are where the biggest money is, provided you got the fortitude to stick around and you aren’t addicted to buying high and selling low.” [08:54]

• Mike Sievert, T-Mobile CEO (on iPhone 17 launch):
  “We just had the biggest iPhone weekend. We’re up double digits from a year ago.” [06:33]

• Nicola Damasi, CEO of IonQ:
  “Quantum is here and Quantum is going to gallop forward. The market has really solidified behind IonQ—as I like to say, the Nvidia of the quantum space.” [30:53]

• Jim Cramer (on market rotation):
  “It’s gotten really difficult on the industrials here...unless you’re somehow involved in the data center, you just aren’t going to make your quarter.” [43:34]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:39] – Cramer’s opening on the importance of holding great stocks
• [03:30] – Apple: Narrative vs. Reality
• [06:33] – Mike Sievert’s bullish iPhone sales quote
• [08:00] – Nvidia’s deal with OpenAI
• [09:20] – Start of Lightning Round call-in Q&A
• [13:27] – Boeing: Case for Buying
• [20:13] – Screening for GARP Stocks (Growth at a Reasonable Price)
• [27:34] – Call on Chipotle: what’s needed for next move
• [30:33] – CEO Interview: IonQ (Nicola Damasi)
• [39:27] – Lightning Round rapid-fire segment
• [43:34] – Market sector commentary—rotation out of industrials
• [47:04] – Wrap-up and show close

Episode Tone and Style

Cramer is characteristically passionate, energetic, and direct—pushing back against negative media narratives, advocating for disciplined growth investing, and sprinkling in humor and memorable analogies. The show’s style is engaging and conversational, aimed at both educating and empowering retail investors.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This packed show offers essential lessons on resisting the noise and sticking with quality growth stocks like Apple and Nvidia, showcases actionable stock screens, and takes listeners into the future with a quantum computing deep dive. Cramer’s rapid-fire Q&A and strong, quotable opinions make the complex world of investing accessible and entertaining.