Energy revolution puts this stock in sweet spot, says Cramer

(Click for video linked to a searchable transcript of this Mad Money segment)

Jim Cramer believes wholeheartedly that the vast deposits of nat gas recently discovered in our nation could lead to energy independence as soon as 2020.

And he thinks Chart Industries sits squarely in the center of the industry-changing trend.

"Chart makes the precision engineered cryogenic equipment that converts natural gas into a liquid, which allows it to be exported or used as fuel for vehicles. They also make tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas, engine tanks that hold the stuff for heavy-duty trucks, and they have an industrial gas business," Cramer explained.

Year to date the stock has surged more than 70% as developments suggest that Corporate America is beginning to embrace the potential of gas.

Getty Images

A gas flare is seen at an oil well near Williston, North Dakota.

For example, UPS has announced plans to purchase about 700 liquefied natural gas 18-wheelers and build four refueling stations to serve its heavy-weight rigs by the end of 2014.

Chart is also becoming a major player in China, which is farther along in its adoption of natural gas as a transportation fuel. The company earlier this year landed two contracts worth a combined $85 million to provide equipment to PetroChina.

That's not to say Chart Industries is not without skeptics.

Critics argue that at 20 times next year's estimates shares are expensive. The average multiple for companies in the industrial machinery industry is about 13.5, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Also skeptics argue that any hiccup in the development of nat gas could send shares tumbling.

Nonetheless, it appears the Street largely sees significant potential ahead.

Of sixteen analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, 11 have "buy" or "strong buy" recommendations, while the remaining five rate the stock a "hold."

Clough Capital, which has about $4.2 billion under management, bought Chart stock a little more than a year ago and had 130,800 shares at the end of the first quarter.

"We think this is really just beginning," said Jim Canty, a portfolio manager with Clough Capital. "We think we can hold it for multiple years," he said.

"I've liked this stock for a long time," Cramer reminded. "it's good for everybody including shareholders."

*Reuters contributed to this report

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