By sitting on huge cash reserves and not making acquisitions in this market, Apple is going against the mantra of Warren Buffett, CNBC's Jim Cramer says.
"If they don't do anything, [Apple] has become the 'Anti-Buffett,'" Cramer said on "Squawk on the Street" on Monday. "What they are doing philosophically is crossing the Oracle of Omaha." Buffett has been relatively active in making acquisitions in this market, most notably with Berkshire Hathaway's deal last month to buy ketchup maker Heinz.
In an interview Monday on "Squawk Box," Buffett said are the "dumbest investment" you can make right now, a perspective that can be interpreted as an indication that there is a large opportunity cost in cash and low-yielding securities. The opportunity cost arises from the likelihood of an interest rate increase in the medium term and a bullish picture on stocks.
"It's about doing something with the money," Cramer said. "If it's between keeping money in Treasurys versus buying companies, [Buffett] is a buyer."
Cramer called Buffett a "breath of fresh air" in this market, demonstrating that you can find value in American companies and not be fixated on short-term trading. "His portfolio is uniquely set up for an American renaissance," Cramer said. "It's entirely possible that he is in the sweet spot right now."
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As a result, Apple's $137 billion in cash should be put to use to make acquisitions, or the company risks falling behind, Cramer said. For weeks, Cramer has been making the case that Apple should buy a business like Netflix and reiterated that point on Monday.
"Apple could do something with its cash—like buy Netflix—it's a fly speck for Apple," he said, a purchase like this "would be a sign of a pulse, we need a pulse."
"I think Netflix is a very undervalued story now, simply because of all the things they're doing," Cramer added. "Netflix is doing everything right."
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"Apple seems to be trapped in a world where they think they are king. Cash isn't king and they're not king. I'm talking about the perception," Cramer said, reacting to the fact that Apple hasn't put its cash to work against Samsung's increasing competition in their core smartphone market. "I think Samsung has the momentum," he said.
— By CNBC's Paul Toscano. Follow him on Twitter and get the latest stories from "Squawk on the Street" @ToscanoPaul