Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Don't Blame Ben
Search Jim Cramer's "Mad Money" trading recommendations using our exclusive "Mad Money" Stock Screener.
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Ben Bernanke can only do so much, Jim Cramer told his "Mad Money" viewers Wednesday after the market's mixed reaction to the Federal Reserve chairman's latest remarks.
But while the market may be selling off on the news after running up ahead of that news, Cramer said the Fed chair's comments do have a silver lining.
Cramer likened the U.S. economy to a good old-fashioned BBQ. He said the coals are getting warm but the wind keeps of Europe keep blowing them out. Bernanke only has one weapon, low interest rates, the equivalent of lighter fluid, to help light them up again, noted Cramer. So while many were hoping to see Bernanke throw high-octane gasoline on the grill, Cramer said the Fed's measured approach of keeping interest rates near zero does have some advantages. He said high-yielding dividend stocks are always in competition with Treasuries, which often offer similar yield with no risk. But with interest rates expected to remain near zero for at least the next few years, that leaves dividend stocks as the only game in town. That's why when Procter & Gamble (PG) pre-announced to the downside, the stock only responded slightly, said Cramer, because the stock was protected by P&G's 3.7% dividend yield. The same applies to Walgreens (WAG), a stock that got hammered Wednesday on news it's buying into a drugstore chain in Britain but seems to find a floor as shares yielded 3.8%. The Fed may only be able to stimulate the economy so much, Cramer concluded, but thanks to low interest rates, dividend stocks will remain the best place to get yield for years to come.Trimming Tech Positions
It's time to take profits in technology stocks and trim your positions, Cramer told viewers. That is, in tech stocks other than Apple (AAPL), a stock which Cramer owns for his charitable trust, Action Alerts PLUS. Cramer said while the interim news for stocks like Oracle (ORCL) and Microsoft (MSFT) may be good, the prospects for these names going into the second half of the year are dicey. That's why it's better to lock in profits now ahead of any perceived or actual weakness.Select the service that is right for you!
COMPARE ALL SERVICESAction Alerts PLUS
TRY IT FREEJim 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 FREENew! $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 FREEDavid 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 FREE24/7 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 FREEAll 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 FREEOur 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