Jim Cramer names stocks for five investing themes

Jim Cramer’s five investing themes were reinforced by the latest earnings season, the CNBC host said on Thursday, identifying 13 stocks across consumer spending, artificial-intelligence infrastructure, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, and healthcare. Cramer said the themes could offer buying opportunities, while cautioning that no theme is assured to outperform.

The “Mad Money” host’s framework is an assessment of reported corporate results and his expectations for the rest of 2026. It is distinct from his separate July market-rotation call, which named Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Constellation Brands and TJX Companies.

What are Jim Cramer’s five investing themes?

• Resilient consumer: Cramer said results from banks, travel companies and retailers ran counter to concerns over inflation and slower consumer spending. He named Capital One, American Express, Ralph Lauren and Williams-Sonoma as ways to express that view, according to CNBC.

• AI infrastructure: Cramer pointed to a shortage of data-center memory and said he preferred semiconductor-equipment suppliers rather than companies seeking to purchase memory. His selections were Lam Research, KLA and Applied Materials.

• Cybersecurity: Cramer said rising cyber threats had renewed the case for specialist security software, after earlier investor debate over whether AI might reduce demand for such products. He named CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks.

• Mergers and acquisitions: Cramer expects more dealmaking and said companies were pursuing transactions while, in his view, the regulatory setting remains favorable. He identified Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

• Healthcare innovation: Cramer described healthcare as a means of broadening exposure beyond technology while retaining exposure to innovation. He named Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson.

Which picks are held by CNBC’s Charitable Trust?

CNBC reported that Cramer’s Charitable Trust held Capital One, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson. Those holdings are relevant context for readers assessing the recommendations, but do not establish how any of the shares will perform.

Cramer said thematic investing is intended to group companies behind a broader business or economic trend. He argued that such a framework can help investors maintain holdings, or add during market pullbacks. He also said pullbacks are unavoidable and that themes offer no guarantee of outperformance.

His August list should not be conflated with the July 6 rotation-related selections. In that earlier and separate appearance, CNBC reported that Cramer considered Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Constellation Brands and TJX to have been affected by broad institutional sector selling.

Stock calls by a television host are opinions rather than individualized financial advice. Readers should assess company-specific risks and whether any investment is suitable for their own circumstances before acting.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.