Stock Under $10 with 50-100% upside potential - 14 Days FREE!

Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Europe's Problems a Global Problem

Stock quotes in this article: JNJ, CELG, DG, WMT, ULTA, LULU, SBUX, CMG, AAPL, LAD, SAH, ABT, PFE, COV, FSLR, MWE, SRE, ALGT, HTZ, SWC, SLV, GLD 

Cramer said for investors who are bullish on the American consumer, Lithia is the perfect speculative stock. Lithia is domestic and it's in a fragmented market with tons of room to grow.

In its most recent quarter, Lithia increased its same-store sales by a stellar 22%, with new car sales growing by 25%. Compare that to the next closest competitor, Sonic Automotive (SAH), which only grew by 12.1%. In addition to sales, Lithia has great margins and is taking market share from its rivals.

Cramer said Lithia clearly knows what works and offers not only sales, but service, financing and insurance, three services with high margins and steady income streams. Service alone accounts for 32% of Lithia's profits.

Despite beating Wall Street expectations by 18 cents a share, Lithia remains the cheapest of all the auto dealership stocks, said Cramer.

But as great as Lithia may be, Cramer said he still cannot recommend the stock given the weak unemployment data received today. Consumers stopped buying cars before, he said, and they may stop again. For investors who are bullish on American growth however, Lithia "may be the stock for you."

Circling the Wagons

In a terrible market, it pays to circle the wagons around recession-resistant company you can count on, Cramer said. Investors can't just invest for today, they must invest in the bargains that are being created, the stocks with high yields that will snap back quickly.

That's why Cramer recommended Johnson & Johnson, a once-hated company that now sports a new CEO and a 4% dividend yield. Cramer said that J&J is now a potential breakup story as the company is actually three businesses in one.

According to a recent research report, J&J could split itself into a pharmaceutical company, a consumer products company and a medical devices company, thus unlocking $76 a share worth of value, a 23% premium from today prices. Breakups in health care work, Cramer reminded viewers, as evidenced by Abbott Labs (ABT), another Action Alerts PLUS holding, as well as Pfizer (PFE) and Covidian (COV).

But even without a breakup, Cramer said he's a believer in new CEO Alex Gorsky. He said a fresh set of eyes can do wonders at a company and Gorsky, a long-time J&J employee, will know his way around. Unlike other drug makers, Johnson & Johnson is largely past its wave of patent expirations, said Cramer, and the company has a slew of new drugs set to power future growth.

Select the service that is right for you!

COMPARE ALL SERVICES
Action Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREE

Jim Cramer and Stephanie Link actively manage a real portfolio and reveal their money management tactics while giving advanced notice before every trade.

Product Features:
  • $2.5+ million portfolio
  • Large-cap and dividend focus
  • Intraday trade alerts from Cramer
  • Weekly roundups
Dividend Stock Advisor
TRY IT FREE
New! $49.95/yr

Jim Cramer's protege, David Peltier, identifies the best of breed dividend stocks that will pay a reliable AND significant income stream.

Product Features:
  • Diversified model portfolio of dividend stocks
  • Alerts when market news affect the portfolio
  • Bi-weekly updates with exact steps to take - BUY, HOLD, SELL
Stocks Under $10
TRY IT FREE

David Peltier, uncovers low dollar stocks with extraordinary upside potential that are flying under Wall Street's radar.

Product Features:
  • Model portfolio
  • Stocks trading below $10
  • Intraday trade alerts
  • Weekly roundups
Real Money
TRY IT FREE

24/7 market commentary from Jim Cramer and 20+ veteran Wall Street gurus. Get access to the latest trading ideas on stocks, options, and ETFs as well as a real-time forum to see the pros exchanging their investment ideas.

Product Features:
  • Jim Cramer + 20 Wall Street pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Real-time trading forum
  • Actionable trade ideas
Real Money Pro
TRY IT FREE

All of Real Money, plus 15 more of Wall Street's sharpest minds delivering actionable trading ideas, a comprehensive look at the market, and fundamental and technical analysis.

Product Features:
  • Real Money + Doug Kass + 15 more Wall Street Pros
  • Intraday commentary & news
  • Ultra-actionable trading ideas
Options Profits
TRY IT FREE

Our options trading pros provide daily market commentary and over 100 monthly option trading ideas and strategies to help you become a well-seasoned trader.

Product Features:
  • 100+ monthly options trading ideas
  • Actionable options commentary & news
  • Real-time trading community
  • Options TV
To begin commenting right away, you can log in below using your Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, OpenID or Yahoo login credentials. Alternatively, you can post a comment as a "guest" just by entering an email address. Your use of the commenting tool is subject to multiple terms of service/use and privacy policies - see here for more details.
DOW 15,335.28 -19.12 -0.12%
NASDAQ 3,496.43 -2.54 -0.07%
S&P 500 1,666.29 -1.18 -0.07%
US 10 Yr 1.965% +0.016

Brokerage Partners

Advertising Partners
Special Features

Free Newsletters from TheStreet

After the Bell

Before the Bell

Booyah! Newsletter

Midday Bell

TheStreet Top 10 Stories

Winners & Losers

We respect your privacy. Manage Newsletters
Top Rated Stocks Top Rated Funds Top Rated ETFs