Mar 25, 2026 · 44 min
Cramer weighs AI demand against oil and market denial
Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 3/25/26
The episode connects data-center power needs, payroll software, energy inflation, and investor discipline across an unsettled market.
- 1Generac’s expanding data-center backlog turns backup power into a direct bet on hyperscaler demand.
- 2Paychex pairs proprietary payroll data and AI tools with acquisition synergies from Paycor.
- 3Cramer favors selected healthcare, infrastructure, and technology names while rejecting difficult-to-understand or vulnerable stocks.
Don't miss
Aaron Yankfield details how Generac is positioning its generator business for rapidly growing data-center power demand.
The brief
Jim Cramer opens by challenging market denial and arguing that investors need understandable opportunities, even as he acknowledges mistakes in calls on Nike and other stocks.
Generac CEO Aaron Yankfield explains how data-center demand is expanding the company’s backlog for diesel and gas generators, while hyperscaler contracts and manufacturing capacity remain central questions.
Rising oil prices tied to the Iran conflict frame a debate over inflation, Federal Reserve policy, and whether pharmaceutical stocks such as Pfizer and Merck offer defensive appeal.
Paychex CEO John Gibson describes accelerating organic growth, AI-enabled payroll tools, proprietary data, and the integration synergies expected from the Paycor acquisition.
The Lightning Round separates favored infrastructure, semiconductor, biotech, and agricultural names from warnings on Penn Entertainment and office real estate, reinforcing Cramer’s selective approach.
What was said on this episode
34 statements · 24 positive · 9 negative · 1 mixed
Trump’s overtures to Iran are lowering oil prices and supporting stocks.
“Trump is knocking down oil prices with his overtures to Iran, whatever they may be. And it's working as stocks are also going higher.”
Listen at 2:42
Trump provides a real downside support mechanism for stock markets.
“the Trump put is real”
Listen at 4:16
Many private equity firms may underperform.
“lots of private equity firms may underperform”
Listen at 6:48
Most software companies owned by private equity will avoid bankruptcy.
“most of the software companies aren't going to go under”
Listen at 6:52
Investors seeking exits from private credit funds may remain locked in for years.
“the people who want out of these funds, sorry, you're stuck. You didn't read the fine print. And now your money's locked up for years.”
Listen at 7:23
Private credit bonds are generally sound despite liquidity concerns.
“I'm not worried about the private credit space. Their bonds are fine.”
Listen at 7:36
Investors should avoid RVLX because it is too difficult to evaluate.
“Don't own it, okay? It's just not. It's too hard.”
Listen at 8:58
Goldman Sachs performs exceptionally well in the current market environment.
“buying the stock at Goldman Sachs, which does incredibly well in this term world”
Listen at 9:46
Nike shares will reach $70, so Cramer recommends holding.
“I think we'll see $70 for that stock. So I'm not selling it”
Listen at 10:30
Generac’s backlog exceeds $700 million.
“our backlog is over $700 million”
Listen at 13:03
Generac has a non-binding hyperscaler notice worth another $600 million.
“it's non-binding, but it's another $600 million on top of that”
Listen at 13:17
Generac expects over $1 billion of manufacturing capacity online by year-end.
“We've got over a billion dollars of capacity by the end of this year coming online”
Listen at 14:53
Generac’s commercial-industrial projects provide visibility and often last over a year.
“The commercial industrial business, we've got a lot of visibility. There are long lead times. These projects are over a year, oftentimes in length.”
Listen at 15:37
Oil prices have risen more than 50% year to date.
“The price of oil has surged over 50% year-to-date”
Listen at 18:50
Higher energy costs could materially damage the broader economy.
“higher energy costs could do real damage to the rest of the economy”
Listen at 18:57
Higher energy costs make further Federal Reserve rate cuts more difficult.
“They've already made it a lot more difficult for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates.”
Listen at 19:00
Big Pharma is relatively recession-proof because patients continue taking medications.
“Big Pharma. Now, if you need a medication, you'll keep taking good times in bed. You don't skip a dose. This is a textbook recession-proof industry.”
Listen at 20:08
Investors should buy high-quality, dividend-paying Pfizer, Merck, and Bristol Myers.
“it's time to buy big. Quality, pharma names, OK, with bountiful dividends. And that means Pfizer. It means Merck and it means Bristol-Myers.”
Listen at 24:27
Cardinal Health remains fundamentally strong after its decline.
“I think it's an amazing stock. It fell really hard. I do not think there's anything wrong with Cardinal. If anything, I think it's gotten better”
Listen at 25:15
Investors should buy Cardinal Health aggressively.
“I want you to buy it and buy it. Get this. aggressively.”
Listen at 25:25
Hinge Health is attractive to buy and relatively recession-resistant.
“This is actually a really good time to buy it. It's a very recessionary stock, too.”
Listen at 26:01
Paychex’s proprietary data set creates a competitive advantage for AI-enabled services.
“we have the largest proprietary data set, I think, in the industry, which really creates this unique advantage”
Listen at 30:54
Current Paychex indicators show no signs of recession or economic slowdown.
“I don't see any signs in the current indicators of a recession or any slowdown.”
Listen at 32:59
Unity Electronics remains inexpensive at roughly 30–31 times earnings.
“I think that it is still inexpensive. It's 30, 31 times earnings.”
Listen at 36:37
Unity Electronics is an excellent semiconductor-materials company.
“the company, which is this materials for semis, is fantastic”
Listen at 36:47
Rigel is a speculative investment that Cramer endorses.
“It is speculative. I bless it. I bless it as a spec.”
Listen at 37:26
Applied Digital is a favorable high-growth digital-infrastructure investment.
“I think it's a very good situation. A lot of people like applied digital in the business, and I think they're good”
Listen at 37:56
Penn Entertainment lacks attractive prospects, so investors should avoid it.
“I don't think Penn Entertainment is going anywhere. Why? Because I think the whole gambling business is going anywhere and I don't want to touch it.”
Listen at 38:38
Boston Properties may face structural issues and offers insufficient yield for its risk.
“I think there might be structural issues. More important, you're only getting 5% yield for what I regard as being a risky situation.”
Listen at 39:02
Investors should avoid Boston Properties.
“I would not touch that BX pitch. I just don't want it.”
Listen at 39:11
Cramer plans to continue holding Corteva.
“I will continue to own the stock.”
Listen at 39:31
Trump accounts provide $1,000 to eligible American children born during 2025–2028.
“the Trump accounts, which gives one thousand dollars to every American child born between January 1st, 2025 and December 31st, 2028”
Listen at 40:51
Michael and Susan Dell will contribute $250 for each of 25 million children.
“The Dells are giving $250 per child for 25 million children in lower to middle income areas.”
Listen at 41:05
Cramer started the CMC Investing Club to promote early investing.
“It's why I started the CMC Investing Club.”
Listen at 43:06
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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