Aug 31, 2026 · 44 min
Cramer weighs rate risks, data centers and Tim Cook’s legacy
Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer 8/31/26
The episode connects macroeconomic uncertainty with stock-specific calls and a close look at the infrastructure and leadership shaping markets.
- 1Cramer sees possible rate hikes and inflation risks affecting housing, industrial activity and copper-related stocks.
- 2Jennifer Scanlon outlines UL Solutions’ recurring-revenue model and growing certification opportunity in data-center infrastructure.
- 3Cramer argues Tim Cook’s business judgment and character deserve recognition beyond comparisons with Steve Jobs.
Don't miss
Jennifer Scanlon explains how UL Solutions is positioned to certify data-center liquid-cooling and power systems as infrastructure demand grows.
The brief
Cramer opens with a quiet August market finish and revisits the contained risk from a heavily leveraged fund collapse, setting a cautious backdrop for the stock calls ahead.
The viewer questions move from taking profits in AMD and defending Arista to a bargain thesis for Viking Holdings, while TJX faces pressure to improve merchandise and buy back stock.
Cramer turns to inflation, possible rate hikes and copper, weighing what tighter policy could mean for housing, industrial activity and related stocks.
UL Solutions CEO Jennifer Scanlon discusses recurring revenue, margins and certification work for data centers, including liquid cooling and power systems, amid tariff uncertainty.
The closing Lightning Round favors Teradyne and Energy Transfer but stays cautious on Boeing and Applied Aerospace, before Cramer praises Tim Cook’s lasting Apple impact.
What was said on this episode
36 statements · 29 positive · 5 negative · 2 neutral
Situational Awareness’s collapse was contained to the technology sector.
“at one time controlled $45 billion thanks to the liberal use of borrowed money, was contained to tech”
Listen at 0:58
Moderna developed a vaccine for people previously treated for melanoma.
“Moderna's developed a vaccine for those who've beaten melanoma once.”
Listen at 2:02
Moderna’s stock could rise substantially further.
“I think this could still have a huge potential to go higher.”
Listen at 2:11
Palantir should not have declined based on its profitable growth.
“Palantir should have ever been down to begin with based on the rule of 40”
Listen at 2:19
ServiceNow has successfully integrated AI into its everyday business.
“it's done more than most to integrate AI into its everyday business, and it's done it successfully”
Listen at 4:00
Cramer does not recommend Honeywell Aerospace.
“I do not recommend this company down 24% for the month.”
Listen at 7:04
AppLovin will not ultimately be replaced by AI.
“I don't think so”
Listen at 7:18
Tapestry’s August decline was an overreaction.
“I think this decline was a pure overreaction”
Listen at 7:47
Tapestry is currently a buy.
“I think it's buy now.”
Listen at 7:51
Moderna has produced a cancer vaccine.
“a vaccine against cancer”
Listen at 9:09
AMD investors should retain their remaining shares.
“I think you let the rest run.”
Listen at 9:38
Cramer is extremely bullish on Arista Networks.
“I'm a triple bull.”
Listen at 10:11
Investors should own Arista Networks.
“I think you got to own that.”
Listen at 10:20
TJX should buy back stock and improve TJ Maxx merchandise.
“They got to step up to the plate and start doing some buying of that stock and getting better merchandise in the TJ Maxx division.”
Listen at 11:27
Viking Holdings offers a Costco-level bargain.
“I think you're getting a Costco-level deal on Viking Holdings.”
Listen at 12:53
Viking Holdings will be the industry’s best company.
“Vikings are going to be the best company in the industry.”
Listen at 13:21
Investors should buy Viking Holdings after its recent decline.
“which is why I'm telling you to buy the stock into its recent weakness.”
Listen at 18:28
Viking Holdings is worth owning at its current price.
“the stock is absolutely worth owning here.”
Listen at 19:10
Copper prices predict the global economy’s trajectory.
“The price of copper is just that good at predicting the trajectory of the global economy.”
Listen at 20:38
The unnamed rare-earth producer is suitable as a speculative investment.
“I think as a spec, it works very well.”
Listen at 27:07
FedEx Freight is consolidating before a major upward move.
“I really, really like the stock, and I think it's just kind of consolidating before it has its big move.”
Listen at 27:45
UL Solutions reported 6.6% organic revenue growth.
“Our organic revenue growth was 6.6 percent.”
Listen at 29:52
UL Solutions has an exceptionally large data-center opportunity.
“The data center opportunity is incredible.”
Listen at 31:34
UL Solutions cannot advise customers on data-center design.
“No, we cannot advise on design.”
Listen at 33:26
UL Solutions is resilient to tariffs and macroeconomic factors.
“We are so resilient.”
Listen at 35:11
Teradyne has an exceptionally strong semiconductor-testing business.
“It's got a great business, unassailable business, kind of not a monopoly, but close to it.”
Listen at 37:32
Investors should avoid Boeing until its stock exceeds $200.
“we have to be on the sidelines until it breaks 200”
Listen at 38:25
Applied Aerospace is currently losing money.
“It's losing money.”
Listen at 38:54
Energy Transfer remains attractive at a 6% yield.
“I think at 6%, it still makes sense.”
Listen at 39:21
Apple stock rose over 2,200% during Tim Cook’s leadership.
“the stock rallying more than 2,200 percent under his leadership.”
Listen at 40:05
Tim Cook led Apple to dominate the smartphone industry.
“he led Apple to dominate the industry.”
Listen at 40:53
Apple services revenue grew from $9 billion to over $100 billion annually.
“Apple's service revenue stream grew from $9 billion in annual sales, kind of an asterisk, to more than $100 billion.”
Listen at 41:21
Tim Cook reduced Apple’s share count by over 40%.
“Since Cook took over in 2011, he shrunk Apple's share count by more than 40%.”
Listen at 41:40
Hyperscalers have severely damaged their balance sheets building data centers.
“The hyperscalers have wrecked their balance sheets to build these data centers.”
Listen at 41:53
Google Search pays Apple over $20 billion annually for default iPhone placement.
“Google Search pays Apple more than $20 billion a year to be the default option on the iPhone.”
Listen at 42:07
Tim Cook made Apple Watch substantially improve users’ safety and health.
“He's worked tirelessly to make the Apple Watch a lifesaver many times over.”
Listen at 42:24
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.