Aug 6, 2026 · 44 min
Cramer tests AI infrastructure against consumer and healthcare bets
Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 8/6/26
The episode weighs whether companies can turn AI, healthcare technology, and shifting consumer habits into durable shareholder value.
- 1BD pitches connected care, robotics, and proprietary medical devices as durable healthcare growth engines.
- 2Constellation Brands adapts its beer portfolio to lighter drinking habits while defending Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico.
- 3Akamai argues its distributed network can capture AI inference demand while strengthening cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure.
Don't miss
Akamai’s CEO explains how the company’s distributed edge network could place AI inference closer to users, robots, and other devices.
The brief
Cramer opens with buy, hold, or sell calls, then moves from individual stocks to the market themes he believes should guide investment decisions.
BD CEO Tom Polen presents the post-split company as a focused medical-technology business, built around connected care, AI-enabled monitoring, robotics, and healthcare demand.
Constellation Brands defends its beer portfolio as consumers drink less frequently, arguing that Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico can remain central to changing occasions.
Akamai CEO Tom Layton makes the case that the company’s edge network can support AI inference near users, robots, and devices while expanding cybersecurity.
The lightning round returns to stock selection, with Cramer favoring Ameriprise and Lockheed Martin while questioning speculative AI data-center spending and debt.
Ralph Lauren’s strong results give Cramer a closing lesson in management communication: clear storytelling matters most when backed by operational performance.
What was said on this episode
23 statements · 17 positive · 6 negative
The U.S. consumer is currently very strong.
“The consumer's incredibly strong right now.”
Listen at 1:13
American Express and Capital One shares will rise.
“I think both are going higher.”
Listen at 2:35
Williams-Sonoma and Ralph Lauren are attractive investments.
“I like them both.”
Listen at 2:43
Semiconductor equipment makers are consistent and valuable investments.
“I think they're the most consistent and the most valuable”
Listen at 3:16
China is not ahead of the United States in semiconductor manufacturing technology.
“No, they aren't. At least not when it comes to making semiconductors.”
Listen at 4:01
AI-powered hackers increase the importance of CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks.
“If anything, AI-powered hackers make them more essential than ever.”
Listen at 5:05
Potential merger acquirers are likely willing to pay premium prices.
“I think they're willing to pay up.”
Listen at 6:05
Thematic investing in selected sectors should improve investors' chances of making money in 2026.
“you'll greatly increase your chances of making money for the rest of 2026.”
Listen at 7:41
Investors should trim Bristol Myers positions after merger speculation.
“it's probably worth it to trim.”
Listen at 8:11
Investors should avoid buying Axon after its recent run.
“I don't want to touch it.”
Listen at 8:41
Cramer sold Honeywell Aerospace shares for the Travel Trust.
“We sold the stock at the opening for the Travel Trust”
Listen at 9:55
BD is inexpensive at roughly 14 times forward earnings.
“BD still trades at roughly 14 times forward earnings estimates, which is pretty darn cheap.”
Listen at 11:42
Constellation Brands trades below 11 times earnings and yields 3.1%.
“the stock sells for less than 11 times this year's earnings estimates, pays a 3.1 percent dividend yield.”
Listen at 19:05
Akamai operates the world's most distributed content-delivery and cybersecurity platform.
“Akamai has long been known for operating the world's most distributed platform for content delivery and cybersecurity.”
Listen at 29:19
Cramer recommends buying Viking shares.
“I'd buy some.”
Listen at 36:31
Ameriprise is an attractive stock.
“I think it's a fantastic stock.”
Listen at 37:16
Core Scientific is cheaper and better than IREN.
“Corey's cheaper and better”
Listen at 37:38
Investors should own Eli Lilly or Johnson & Johnson instead of ATAI.
“I'd rather have you own Eli Lilly itself or J&J.”
Listen at 38:00
Investors should buy Lockheed Martin shares.
“I think you buy Lockheed Martin. You do just fine.”
Listen at 38:29
Thomson Reuters' sector faces excessive competition and insufficient intellectual property.
“I just I do not like that sector because there's just too much competition and not enough intellectual property.”
Listen at 38:52
Investors should avoid Cipher Digital because of debt and capital spending concerns.
“I think you're still clear of Cypher Digital.”
Listen at 39:34
Ralph Lauren shares rose approximately 4% after strong results.
“the stock story $15 or almost 4%.”
Listen at 40:38
Ralph Lauren's global same-store sales rose 12%, led by Asia and China.
“Global same-store sales increased 12%, Asia leading the way, up an astounding 23%. China, still small, but up 40%.”
Listen at 42:28
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
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