May 11, 2026 · 44 min
Cramer sees tech-bubble echoes as cybersecurity stocks seek a rebound
Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 5/11/26
The episode weighs whether familiar bubble risks and AI disruption are reshaping stock selection across technology, consumer, defense, and industrial companies.
- 1Cramer sees similarities between the 2026 market and the late-1990s technology bubble while consumer stocks weaken.
- 2He argues cybersecurity stocks may recover after AI fears pushed pure-play companies out of favor.
- 3His company-by-company calls favor Uber, Cloudflare, Eli Lilly, and Caterpillar while urging caution on Ford and troubled retail.
Don't miss
Cramer argues that cybersecurity stocks could rebound after AI fears pushed the sector out of favor, then recommends Cloudflare despite layoffs and soft guidance.
The brief
Jim Cramer opens by comparing the 2026 market with the late-1990s technology bubble, then surveys sharp declines and weakness across consumer and food stocks.
His stock-by-stock answers are mixed: he questions Pfizer’s earnings momentum, favors Uber’s growth and autonomous-vehicle prospects, and weighs McDonald’s against Burger King.
Hawkeye 360’s IPO brings together geolocation, signals intelligence, space, defense, and artificial intelligence, giving Cramer a test case for a newly public company.
The central tension shifts to cybersecurity, where AI-displacement fears battered pure-play stocks; Cramer argues the sector may be positioned for recovery and backs Cloudflare after layoffs.
The Lightning Round favors Eli Lilly and Caterpillar while urging caution on Ford and parabolic fiber-optics stocks, before Cramer explains why the Iran war has barely moved the broader market.
What was said on this episode
33 statements · 20 positive · 9 negative · 1 mixed · 3 neutral
“stop trying to pigeonhole this market like it's another kind of market. No one has ever seen anything like it”
Listen at 1:04
The market is severely penalizing companies unrelated to data-center technology.
“A market that doles out such harsh punishment for Abbott Labs is a market that despises anything not connected to tech in the data center.”
Listen at 1:49
Kimberly-Clark’s Kenvue merger will produce substantial returns.
“Kimberly's about to merge with Kenview. And that's a fantastic deal that I bet will produce tremendous returns.”
Listen at 3:23
Procter & Gamble’s stock is unlikely to rebound soon.
“there's really no reason to believe the stock can start rebounding anytime soon, given the current environment.”
Listen at 3:50
Currently hated stocks are excessively disliked, while favored stocks are excessively loved.
“the hated stocks are overhated and the loved are overloved”
Listen at 7:07
Cramer recommends buying McDonald’s if its yield reaches 3%.
“If it gets to 3%. I do want to buy it.”
Listen at 7:58
Restaurant Brands International is a better company than McDonald’s.
“QSR, I think, is the better. Whoa, the better company than McDonald's.”
Listen at 8:06
Pfizer currently lacks earnings momentum.
“Pfizer does not have any earnings momentum.”
Listen at 8:31
Cramer prefers bonds over stocks for obtaining yield.
“if I want yield, I will go to bonds, not stocks.”
Listen at 8:39
Cramer recommends buying Uber.
“I think it's definitely a buy.”
Listen at 9:03
Uber has strong growth prospects.
“It's got great growth”
Listen at 9:09
Hawkeye 360 is growing three times faster and is more profitable than Planet Labs.
“Hawkeye's growing three times faster than Planet Labs, and it's more profitable to boot.”
Listen at 16:18
Hawkeye 360 stock would nearly double at Planet Labs’ valuation multiple.
“If you gave Hawkeye the same valuation, the stock would almost double from here.”
Listen at 16:25
Hawkeye 360 stock is buyable after its strong IPO debut.
“I think the stock can be bought right here after its strong debut.”
Listen at 16:49
Widespread AI increases the importance of cybersecurity.
“cybersecurity becomes a heck of a lot more important in a world where artificial intelligence is everywhere.”
Listen at 19:51
Palo Alto Networks may rally toward $275–$280 after consolidating.
“We're taking a breather then. Maybe then it's going to take another run, maybe to 275, 280.”
Listen at 22:20
Cisco Systems is expected to exceed $100 and potentially reach $110.
“Lange sees it clearing $100 real soon. Well, I think on the way to $110.”
Listen at 23:46
Cramer recommends buying Cloudflare after its decline.
“I think that you should buy Cloudflare right here”
Listen at 26:45
Vicor addresses worsening power bottlenecks in larger AI systems.
“The company is solving a bottleneck that gets worse as AI systems get bigger, hotter and more power hungry.”
Listen at 33:02
Cramer recommends reducing an existing Vicor position after its rally.
“I would happen to take a little off the table.”
Listen at 33:40
Cramer recommends waiting for a Vicor stock pullback before buying.
“Wait for a pullback.”
Listen at 33:55
Cramer recommends holding Boston Scientific.
“I think you got to hold it.”
Listen at 34:55
Cramer recommends buying the unnamed cloud-and-defense company.
“So it's got the cloud. It's got defense. What can I say? It's a buy.”
Listen at 35:28
Cramer advises against buying Chewy until the war ends.
“Until the war ends, I can't tell you to buy Chewy.”
Listen at 37:17
Cramer advises against buying parabolic fiber-optics stocks at current levels.
“I don't recommend buying these stocks up here. They're all parabolic.”
Listen at 37:39
Ford is difficult to own because of warranty problems.
“Ford is very hard to own because they got warranty problems.”
Listen at 38:02
Cramer evaluates Eli Lilly positively.
“I think it's really, really good.”
Listen at 38:32
Cramer sees a bullish market environment for Eli Lilly.
“I think it is a bull market for Eli Lilly.”
Listen at 38:37
Cramer recommends buying Caterpillar.
“That means that Caterpillar is a buy.”
Listen at 39:10
The Iran war is likely to continue for a long time.
“It's now pretty clear this war is with us for the long haul.”
Listen at 41:33
TJX is particularly well positioned in the current environment.
“TJX is superb in this environment.”
Listen at 41:57
Dollar General and Dollar Tree are traditionally bought during economic deterioration.
“they're time-honored Wall Street proxies that are bought when the economy deteriorates, not sold.”
Listen at 42:21
“To me, therefore, it looks unsustainable.”
Listen at 42:57
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.
Books & mentions
Some links are affiliate links — PodLume may earn a commission if you buy.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.