Apr 24, 2026 · 44 min
Cramer links data-center demand to energy, chips and portfolio bets
Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 4/24/26
The episode frames data-center electricity needs as a market-wide force reshaping energy, semiconductor and investment decisions.
- 1Cramer remains bullish on Costco while stressing that premium valuations require durable growth and reliable execution.
- 2EQT’s Toby Rice argues American natural gas can support energy security as data centers drive sharply higher electricity demand.
- 3Cramer favors companies benefiting from data-center expansion while weighing Intel, Zoom, restaurants and several rapid-fire stock calls.
Don't miss
Toby Rice connects American natural gas and energy security to the rapidly growing electricity needs of data centers.
The brief
Cramer opens with Costco, defending its premium valuation while emphasizing the need to distinguish durable growth from an expensive story.
EQT CEO Toby Rice makes the energy case: American natural gas supports security and production innovation just as data centers intensify electricity demand.
Intel’s strong quarter and Zoom’s execution earn favorable attention, but Cramer keeps valuation and investor expectations at the center of both calls.
Mario Carbone describes Major Food Group’s theatrical restaurants, packaged products, private clubs and international expansion as a broader bet on experiences.
The lightning round turns selective, while the charitable trust discussion returns to the episode’s through line: data-center beneficiaries remain the strongest opportunities for now.
What was said on this episode
40 statements · 31 positive · 5 negative · 1 mixed · 3 neutral
Verizon is a relatively attractive non-technology holding.
“I think you can do a lot worse than Verizon.”
Listen at 1:50
Nucor is the best industrial stock in the current market.
“Easily the best industrial in this market.”
Listen at 2:00
Bloom Energy could report an exceptionally strong quarter.
“Bloom could have a gigantic quarter.”
Listen at 3:20
Starbucks stock is poised to break out.
“I think it's ready to break out.”
Listen at 3:32
Microsoft may report spectacular data-center results.
“Microsoft, which I think can surprise us with a spectacular data center number”
Listen at 3:55
Alphabet could report outstanding results, especially from Google Cloud.
“I think this number could be outstanding.”
Listen at 4:52
Chipotle could deliver its first strong quarter in a long time.
“I think this could have the first strong quarter in a very long time.”
Listen at 4:59
Investors should own Apple rather than trade it.
“I say, own it, don't trade it.”
Listen at 5:51
SanDisk and Western Digital can continue exceeding earnings expectations.
“given the memory shortage, I bet they can keep blowing away the numbers.”
Listen at 6:11
Company conference calls will determine stock prices more than headlines.
“Conference call, not the headlines, will determine the stock price.”
Listen at 6:44
Investors should buy Costco despite its premium valuation.
“Buy, buy, buy!”
Listen at 8:03
International natural-gas prices increased by more than 50 percent.
“internationally, we've seen prices increase over 50 percent.”
Listen at 10:21
U.S. LNG will be viewed as the world’s most reliable energy supply.
“In the medium term, looking forward, the world is also recognizing that U.S. LNG is the most reliable form of supply on the planet, hands down.”
Listen at 10:43
Global demand for reliable energy will drive buyers toward U.S. supplies.
“the world is going to be looking for more reliable energy. They're going to be coming to the United States.”
Listen at 10:56
U.S. LNG exports are expected to exceed 30 BCF per day within five years.
“we're on path to take our LNG exports from 20 BCF a day today. to over 30 BCF a day over the next five years”
Listen at 11:04
U.S. energy exports stabilize international energy prices.
“the impact of our energy and the reliability that we bring to the mix is providing a tremendous amount of stability in international prices.”
Listen at 12:51
U.S. drilling productivity per rig has increased twentyfold.
“We've seen a 20-fold increase in the productivity per rig in this country.”
Listen at 13:48
Natural gas development could create a 60 BCF-per-day surplus.
“We have an opportunity in natural gas to create 60 BCF a day of natural gas surplus.”
Listen at 14:24
Natural gas is affordable, scalable, and rapidly deployable for power generation.
“natural gas is the most affordable energy, and it's also the most scalable, and it's something that we can do very quickly.”
Listen at 16:36
Investors should buy Intel on price weakness.
“I think you've got to buy this one whenever it comes in a bit”
Listen at 22:44
Intel stock will eventually look cheap relative to future results.
“I think the stock will end up looking darn cheap relative to the numbers I expect the company to deliver.”
Listen at 23:34
Intel has substantial long-term upside.
“I expect a lot more upside long term.”
Listen at 23:58
Zoom stock can rise further.
“I think that this one can go higher.”
Listen at 24:49
Major Food Group’s restaurants reflect what its creators personally love.
“We create what we love.”
Listen at 26:18
Major Food Group has exceptionally low employee turnover.
“We've been tremendously lucky to not have turnover. We have the tiniest amount of turnover.”
Listen at 27:50
Major Food Group’s workplace culture contributes to its success.
“I think culture is a big reason why we win.”
Listen at 28:34
Major Food Group’s packaged brand is in 30,000 stores and leads growth nationally.
“And now we're in, you know, sort of 30,000 stores across the country. And, you know, five years in a row, the fastest growing brand in the country.”
Listen at 29:55
Major Food Group has substantial room for international expansion.
“we've got quite a runway.”
Listen at 31:29
Major Food Group can open additional private members’ clubs.
“There can definitely be more of them.”
Listen at 31:55
Experiential dining can motivate customers to spend disproportionately.
“we're experiential it's theatrical we're going to give them a reason to spend their money”
Listen at 33:59
Major Food Group restaurants materially influence hotel spending and ADR.
“We're such an influential part in... in the, you know, average nightly spend and ADR of a hotel”
Listen at 36:20
Investors should buy only a small number of Symbotic shares.
“I'm going to bless Arjun to buy a couple of shares. Not more.”
Listen at 37:50
Investors should avoid Planet Labs at its current elevated price.
“We're going to say no. We're not going to pay these prices.”
Listen at 38:36
More research is needed before evaluating Ollie’s stock.
“I've got to do more work.”
Listen at 39:05
Investors seeking Bitcoin exposure should buy Bitcoin directly.
“We just go buy Bitcoin.”
Listen at 39:35
There are currently no worthwhile purchases outside data-center stocks.
“Honestly, no. At least not this Murray moment.”
Listen at 40:45
Data-center demand is absorbing most available investment capital.
“the data center is sucking every dollar out of the room.”
Listen at 40:49
Broadcom is more likely to rise than fall.
“I have no particular reason to believe Broadcom deserves to go lower. In fact, I think it's a trade higher.”
Listen at 42:54
Investors should sell some holdings after strong gains.
“You need to do some selling into strength.”
Listen at 43:05
Technology stocks eventually experience downtrends.
“history says it always does.”
Listen at 43:33
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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