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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Staying the course turned out to be the right move last week, Jim Cramer said on "Mad Money" Thursday. He reminded viewers once again that "no one ever made a dime panicking." Cramer said it's hard to believe that it was just a week ago, in the middle of the horrible selloff, that he told investors that discipline always trumps conviction and they needed to take a deep breath and wait for a better time to sell if they were so inclined. Flash forward to today, and the markets are up nearly 500 points from that recommendation. Those who panicked last week were just plain wrong. There were several bright spots in the market today, said Cramer, including ConAgra ( CAG), which continues to both innovate and acquire its way to greatness. Cramer was also a fan of the earnings posted by Bed Bath & Beyond ( BBBY), nothing that while many worry about retail, this is one chain that continues to deliver. Even tech stocks like Seagate ( STX) and Western Digital ( WDC) were able to show the markets what a rally looks like, as both received analyst upgrades thanks to their historically low price-earnings ratios. Cramer even called out KB Homes ( KBH) and Winnebago ( WGO) as two of the "best stocks of the day" and further evidence that the bulls are alive and well.
Invest in America: Macy's
Continuing with his week-long "Invest in America" series, Cramer sat down with Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy's ( M), to get an update from this iconic American retailer. Lundgren touched on a number of Macy's initiatives, including the My Macy's program, which puts local buyers in charge of inventory in 69 markets around the nation. Lundgren said My Macy's allows inventory to vary from store to store, allowing each to get the right items on a local level. Another initiative is called Omnichannel, in which 500 of Macy's stores now ship items directly to customers instead of using a centralized warehouse. Lundgren said Omnichannel allows Macy's to sell items from slow-selling locations, avoiding having to mark down those items later on. It also helps with weather-related issues because inventory can be moved quickly from where things are not selling to where they are. Finally, Lundgren said Macy's has a program called Magic Selling, in which associates receive special training and knowledge so they can make a personal connection with customers. Action Alerts PLUS. Mulally reiterated Ford's vision of "profitable growth for all," saying Ford is not only committed to its shareholders but to its employees, suppliers and the communities in which they operate. That's why Ford operates in every country in which they serve, he noted, as that's the only way to truly become part of the fabric of every country.
Invest in America: Starbucks
For his next "Invest in America" interview, Cramer sat down with Howard Schultz, president, chairman and CEO of Starbucks ( SBUX), another company that demonstrates what America is really all about. Schultz said Starbucks has been built as a different kind of company, one where the brand is built from the inside out. He said Starbucks balances profits against the needs of its employees and community. That's why Starbucks offers health care to every employee working over 20 hours a week and equity in the company. Success, he said, is always best when shared. Starbucks has always believed in its brand, said Schultz, and aims to be one of the most respected brands in the world. That's why many of the company's newest locations are among the most profitable. When asked about change and innovation, Schultz said there has been a shift in consumer behavior, which is why Starbucks aims to not only come up with new products but processes. In mobile, for example, Starbucks invested heavily in capability and now processes over 4.5 million mobile transactions a week, affording customers convenience and value. Turning to the issue of the company's recent 1% price hike on many its drinks, Schultz said that what's most important is that Starbucks is totally transparent about what it's doing and why. He said that coffee only represents 11% of total costs, but other areas -- like dairy, labor and health care -- were the motivation behind the increase. When asked for a single Starbucks philosophy, Schultz said his company aims to "deliver performance through the lens of humanity." Starbucks remains both humble and hungry, he concluded.Invest in America: Ford
For his final interview, Cramer sat down with Alan Mulally, chairman and CEO of Ford Motor ( F), a stock Cramer owns for his charitable trust, When asked about those countries, Mulally said that sales in the U.S. and South America remain strong, while things remain tough in Europe. He said restructuring in that region continues and is, in fact, ahead of schedule. Asia remains one of Ford's largest opportunities, however, which is why the automaker has seven factories under construction in China. Among the bright spots at Ford, Mullaly talked about the F-Series truck, which is at the heart of America's economic recovery and its housing recovery. He also touted Ford's focus on quality, fuel efficiency and safety thanks to its many technology initiatives that help drivers stay focused on driving.
