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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- "I like it when people are being hired and the economy is doing well," Jim Cramer told his "Mad Money" TV show viewers Friday, as he laid out his game plan for next week's trading. Cramer said while the naysayers continue to worry about Fed tightening, the smart investors are betting on companies that have growing earnings. That's why on Monday, Cramer said he'll be listening to Dick's Sporting Goods ( DKS), but not for that company's earnings but for what they have to say about Nike ( NKE) and Under Armour ( UA). He'll also be listening to Heckmann ( HEK) to get an update on hydraulic fracking in America's shale fields. On Tuesday, it's Costco ( COST) earnings, and Cramer said he doesn't expect this stock to go down much, even if it disappoints. Also on Tuesday, Chevron ( CVX) has an analyst day and Cramer's hoping to hear plans for spinoffs, as many other big oils have done. Wednesday brings Starwood Hotels & Resorts ( HOT), one of Cramer's favorite travel and leisure stocks. Then on Thursday, Diana Shipping ( DSX), Ulta Salon ( ULTA) and United Technologies ( UTX) report. Cramer said he's keeping an eye on Diana as dry bulk rates creep higher. He's concerned about performance at Ulta, but would be a buyer of United Technologies ahead of its earnings.
Executive Decision: David Demers
In the "Executive Decision" segment, Cramer once again spoke with David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations ( WPRT), a company leading the charge to develop natural gas engines. Shares of Westport are up 12% since Cramer last spoke with Demers on Nov. 12. Demers said Westport is actively working with railroads to test natural gas locomotives, a "compelling opportunity" for the industry. Since a lot of natural gas is already being carried by rail, natural gas-powered locomotives wouldn't need to stop for refueling, he noted, something that could have lasting effects on how railroads operate. When asked about natural gas for 18-wheelers, Demers said partner Cummins ( CMI) will begin selling the widely-anticipated 12-liter truck engine in April. He said it will be a controlled release until about August, after which the engines will be readily available for any company that wants one. Demers said with any new technology there are the early adopters, then a pause as the industry ramps up the new technology, then a big surge of adoption. He said natural gas engines are in the pause as manufacturers and infrastructure ramp up, and the surge is not far away. Along those lines, Demers said Westport remains in investment and revenue growth mode, but still plans on becoming profitable by 2015. Cramer said that natural gas is "almost there" and Westport remains a great way to play the coming transition to natural gas as a fuel for vehicles.
Speculation Friday
For "Speculation Friday," Cramer highlighted orphan drug maker ViroPharma ( VPHM), a stock that has been off many investors' radar as the company previously focused on boring antibiotics instead of the latest in cutting edge therapies. Cramer explained that ViroPharma purchased a drug called Cinryze, a drug treating a rare blood disorder, back in July 2008 for a steal. Back then, the estimates were for peak sales between $350 and $450 million a year. But since then estimates have more than doubled for Cinryze, and the company is working on its next generation, which can be injected versus the current generation which is IV only. ViroPharma is more than a one-trick pony, Cramer continued, as the company made another smart acquisition in 2011, buying a drug for just $37 million. That drug has now already paid for itself with just sales in Europe, he added, and U.S. approval should be forthcoming. So after transforming itself from a boring maker of antibiotics to an excellent acquirer and developer of drugs to treat rare diseases, Cramer said ViroPharma needs to be on everyone's speculation radar.Lightning Round
In the Lightning Round, Cramer was bullish on Chart Industries ( GTLS) and Oaktree Capital Group ( OAK). Cramer was bearish on Cabela's ( CAB), Rentech ( RTK), NovaGold Resources ( NG) and Chesapeake Energy ( CHK).Mad Mail
In the "Mad Mail" viewer feedback segment, Cramer followed up on Keryx Biopharmaceuticals ( KERX), which stumped him during an earlier show. He said that Keryx is a difficult stock to value and he'd stick with easier stocks in that group instead. Cramer was also bearish on Liquidity Services ( LQDT), a company he said lacks credibility, despite selling for just 14 times earnings with a 22% growth rate. He was also bearish on Krispy Kreme ( KKD), telling a viewer to roll into Dunkin Brands ( DNKN) instead. Finally, Cramer said he'll only recommend Tibco Software ( TIBX) on a pullback, after the company's shares ran up a quick 10%.
