TheStreet.com Staff
Editor's Note: The following is a rebroadcast of a show that originally aired on Aug. 11.
In a special "RealMoney" radio show dedicated to answering his listeners' questions, Jim Cramer said that by first looking at the question-and-answer section in the transcript he can tell the difference between a genuine conference call and one in which management is snowing him.
Taking the Sprint Nextel (S Quote - Cramer on S - Stock Picks) quarterly conference call as an example, Cramer said that if people read the body of the call's transcript, they would believe the company is doing great. But then the Q&A started, and it was a nightmare, he said.
The second thing he looks for is the guidance, he said. Little to no guidance makes him skeptical, while a lot of guidance is a good thing and provides visibility, he said.
Cramer said he also looks for management confidence and company buybacks, including the price the company paid for the buyback.
Another thing to look for is if the buyback has retriggered the company's earnings. Energizer (ENR Quote - Cramer on ENR - Stock Picks) has systematically bought back stock and managed to raise its bar, Cramer said
"That shows false growth, so be careful," he warned.
"I also like to hear about what pace of acceleration or deceleration the revenues are at," he said. "Accelerated growth is fantastic."
"That shows false growth, so be careful," he warned.
"I also like to hear about what pace of acceleration or deceleration the revenues are at," he said. "Accelerated growth is fantastic."
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