Cramer Bullish on the Dow for '09 -- Part IV

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McDonald's (MCD - commentary - Cramer's Take): Another truly bright spot in the Dow, although one, again, that borrowed from its upside with a terrific end-of-the-year rally. The company performed amazingly, given that the dollar strengthened in the second half of the year. I believe the dollar will weaken throughout 2009, and raw costs should be way, way down. I believe that this stock will trade through its 2008 high of $67 and finish up at $70.

This is one of the best-managed companies in the world and I hope it will come down below $58, where I will buy it back for Action Alerts PLUS (Click here for a free trial). I took a meaningful gain for the charitable trust in MCD and am anxious to make more money with this stock in 2009. This one's a gift if it goes below $55.

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Merck (MRK - commentary - Cramer's Take): No real growth, no real excitement, even in a growth-challenged environment for all companies. With a 5% yield representing a floor, but slow growth and continual disappointment representing a ceiling, we have still one more "mark-timer" on our hands.

I do not believe that this one gives you enough upside, especially compared with non-Dow plays Eli Lilly (LLY - commentary - Cramer's Take) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY - commentary - Cramer's Take). No takeover coming here, but an acquisition or merger with another drug company might be your best help for this play. Merck has been a disappointment for a very long time, and other than a rotation into the drugs -- of which it will be among the worst performers, I believe -- I don't see it finishing much above where is closed out 2008, give or take $4. Let's give it the benefit of the doubt -- and the weak dollar -- and call it $34.

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Jim Cramer is co-founder and chairman of TheStreet.com. He contributes daily market commentary for TheStreet.com's sites and serves as an adviser to the company's CEO. Outside contributing columnists for TheStreet.com and RealMoney.com, including Cramer, may, from time to time, write about stocks in which they have a position. In such cases, appropriate disclosure is made. To see his personal portfolio and find out what trades Cramer will make before he makes them, sign up for Action Alerts PLUS. Watch Cramer on "Mad Money" weeknights on CNBC. To order Cramer's newest book -- "Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer)," click here. Click here to order "Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich," click here to order "Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World," click here to get "You Got Screwed!" and click here for Cramer's autobiography, "Confessions of a Street Addict." While he cannot provide personalized investment advice or recommendations, he appreciates your feedback and invites you to send comments by clicking here.

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