Skip navigation

FEATURED SLIDESHOW


Current DateTime: 10:09:35 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 44892814
  • Cramer's Best Dividend Picks

      In chaotic and difficult market environments, Jim Cramer recommends investors seek the protection of stocks with serious dividends.


Text SMS AlertGet stock and market information from Mad Money's Jim Cramer sent to your mobile phone.
Road Rules
Road Rules Video Gallery
Investing can be confusing. Luckily, Cramer has mapped out some road rules for all you Home Gamers trying to navigate the jungle that is Wall Street. Think of it as "Mad Money 101" –- some fundamental advice to keep in mind as you play the market. Whether you're a first time investor or a seasoned financier, it's always good to remember the basics.

Time to Buy a House?

Published: Wednesday, 30 Jan 2008 | 6:49 PM ET
Text Size
By: Tom Brennan
Web Editor, Mad Money

The Fed gave Cramer -- and the rest of Wall Street -- what he wanted Wednesday afternoon when the central bank announced a 50 basis-point rate cut. In a split second, the news turned the Mad Money host from doomsayer to cheerleader.

Cramer was -- to put it mildly -- vocal about his displeasure with the Fed's lack of response to the credit and housing woes that have gripped the markets since last summer. But now he's so confident in the economy he's considering buying what might be "the most loathed and toxic investment around": a house. The additional cut, which came just a week after another 75 basis-point emergency cut, has made a turnaround in housing "inevitable," he said.

But the benefits of the Fed's decision should move far beyond just housing, Cramer pointed out. Financials, retailers and even industrials should go higher, he said. That means Costco [COST  Loading...      ()   ], Urban Outfitters [URBN  Loading...      ()   ], Citigroup [C  Loading...      ()   ], Bear Stearns [BSC  Loading...      ()   ], Goldman Sachs [GS  Loading...      ()   ], Washington Mutual [WM  Loading...      ()   ], Wachovia [WB  Loading...      ()   ], Ford [F  Loading...      ()   ] and General Motors [GM  Loading...      ()   ] are worth a look now.

So are stocks that pay dividends. They'll return more to investors than the interest on a bank's savings or checking account, Cramer said. Go with Altria [MO  Loading...      ()   ], which boosted its dividend today, or AT&T [T  Loading...      ()   ] and Verizon [VZ  Loading...      ()   ], which offer attractive payouts as well.

And don't let the Dow's dip this afternoon discourage you either. With such an uncertain market these days, Cramer said, traders couldn't help but take profits when they had the chance. Anything that used to be in a bear market should now be in full bull mode.

"The Fed has given us a once-in-a-decade opportunity to make big money right now," Cramer said. "Don't be scared away."

Jim's charitable trust owns Altria, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

Questions for Cramer?

Questions, comments, suggestions for the Mad Money website?

© 2011 CNBC, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Current DateTime: 06:33:39 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 08:44:16 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 09:40:00 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779197

Current DateTime: 11:45:14 07 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779199
CNBCCNBC
About CNBC  |  Site Map  |  Video Reprints   |  Advertise  |  Help  |  Contact
Privacy Policy  |     |  Terms of Service  |  Independent Programming Report
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2012 CNBC LLC.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBCUniversal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters