Cramer’s Top 3 Stock Picks to Buy Now

Have you ever felt that rush when the market finally shifts, and suddenly, the plays everyone ignored start looking like gold? That’s exactly the vibe right now in late 2025, as the relentless AI hype begins to cool off just enough to spotlight some underrated gems. I’ve been following these portfolio updates for years, and this one hit different – it’s like a wake-up call to spread your bets before the narrow tech trade bites back harder.

Diversification isn’t just a buzzword; it’s survival in a year that’s seen data centers and quantum leaps dominate headlines. But as risks pile up in that corner, opportunities bloom elsewhere. Think about it: why put all your eggs in one overheating basket when solid turnarounds and steady growers are begging for attention?

Why Diversify Beyond AI Right Now?

Let’s face it, 2025 has been the year of AI everything – chips, clouds, even nuclear power for those massive servers. It worked wonders until it didn’t. The cracks are showing: competition heating up, spending slowdown whispers, and valuations that make your palms sweat. In my view, that’s the perfect cue to pivot.

Growth comes in many flavors, and right now, the menu outside AI looks downright appetizing. From industrial revivals to consumer staples that quietly compound, there’s room to breathe. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a portfolio that sleeps better at night?

Growth of all kinds always works – until the risks in one area become too concentrated.

This monthly review covered a whopping 34 names, but a handful stood out as immediate buys. We’ll dive deep into the top three, then touch on the rest with actionable insights. Buckle up; this could reshape how you allocate heading into year-end.

Boeing: The Turnaround Titan Ready to Soar

Picture this: an aerospace giant bogged down by scandals and delays, now under fresh leadership that’s actually delivering. That’s Boeing in a nutshell today. New CEO Kelly Ortberg isn’t just talking a good game; he’s executing a plan that’s starting to show real traction.

Cash flow improvements? Check. Debt reduction on the horizon? Absolutely. In fact, the company’s U.S. aircraft dominance positions it perfectly for a rebound as travel demand roars back. I’ve seen turnarounds like this before, and they often reward patient investors handsomely.

Why buy now? Shares have been punished long enough, creating a margin of safety. If you’re looking to get “very big” in one name, as the update suggests, this is it. The risk-reward skews heavily positive, especially with commercial aviation cycles turning upward.

• Leadership change driving operational efficiencies
• Improving free cash flow metrics quarter over quarter
• Backlog of orders providing visibility for years
• Potential catalyst from defense contracts

Don’t sleep on the broader implications. As data centers guzzle power, efficient air travel becomes even more critical for business. Boeing’s wide-body jets could see accelerated demand. Perhaps the most underrated aspect? The stock’s valuation hasn’t caught up to the progress yet.

Of course, challenges remain – supply chain hiccups, labor negotiations. But with management laser-focused, these feel like speed bumps, not roadblocks. In my experience, betting on competent turnarounds at inflection points pays off big.

Honeywell: Undervalued Breakup Candidate with Massive Upside

Ever wonder what happens when a conglomerate decides to unlock value by splitting into focused powerhouses? Honeywell is about to show us, and the timing couldn’t be better. Trading at levels that scream “astoundingly cheap,” this industrial stalwart is prepping to birth three separate entities.

The aerospace division alone? Pure gold. Unfettered from the pack, its earnings power could surprise even skeptics. Add in automation and energy transition plays, and you’ve got a trifecta of growth engines. The update calls it a buy ahead of the split – I couldn’t agree more.

I do not think people understand the earnings power of unfettered aerospace.

– Portfolio analysis

Let’s break it down further. Post-split, each piece trades on its own merits, potentially rerating higher. Investors love purity, and Honeywell’s delivering it in spades. Short-term volatility? Sure. Long-term windfall? Count on it.

Consider the aerospace tailwinds: booming defense budgets, commercial fleet renewals, urban air mobility emerging. Honeywell’s tech sits at the heart of it all. And with shares lagging peers, you’re paying a discount for future optionality.

This isn’t speculative; management has a track record of value creation. The split announcement alone could spark a revaluation. If you’re hunting for buying opportunities in industrials, look no further.

Broadcom: The AI Underdog Still Worth Owning

Yes, Nvidia gets all the glory, but Broadcom’s quietly building an empire in custom silicon. Rumors swirl about a massive Microsoft chip deal – if it lands, watch shares rocket. Even without it, the company’s diversified beyond GPUs into networking and software.

Recent dips? Perfect entry points. Down 5% in a session, and the advice is clear: buy the weakness. I’ve found that second-tier AI plays often deliver smoother rides with similar upside. Broadcom fits that bill perfectly.

Dig into the numbers: cloud growth accelerating, VMware integration paying off, margins expanding. Competition from AMD? Real, but Broadcom’s custom ASIC moat is wide. For data center builds, they’re essential plumbing.

1. Secure Microsoft custom chip contract
2. Expand networking dominance in hyperscalers
3. Leverage software recurring revenue
4. Capitalize on edge AI proliferation

The beauty? Valuation isn’t nosebleed like pure-play AI names. You’re getting growth at a reasonable price. As the update notes, if it keeps falling, keep buying. Simple as that.

Other Noteworthy Buys on Weakness

Beyond the top three, several names scream opportunity when they pull back. Take Nike – CEO Elliott Hill’s sports-focused revival is gaining traction, yet consumer spending fears hammer the stock. Pick up shares on dips; the brand’s too iconic to stay down forever.

Then there’s Linde, the industrial gas leader upgraded by analysts for 2026 EPS growth. Recent underperformance? Noise. Fundamentals remain rock-solid, with clean energy demand tailwinds.

Goldman Sachs shines in financials – cheapest sector out there, with dealmaking revival potential. Wells Fargo, post-asset cap lift, can finally flex in investment banking. Both undervalued gems.

Holds with Long-Term Promise

Not everything’s a buy, but plenty deserve staying power. Amazon’s cloud and ads dominance? Unassailable. Own it long-term. Costco’s premium valuation? Justified by execution and member loyalty – predict higher as sales grow.

CrowdStrike’s cybersecurity leadership keeps impressing; wait for pullbacks to add. Nvidia? Still the chip king – own, don’t trade. Microsoft Azure’s enterprise AI moat? Massive.

It’s prudent to lock in gains on winners, but don’t abandon the core thesis.

Apple’s ecosystem makes it an AI partner of choice; iPhone sales hold up. Meta, despite AI spend criticism, competes necessarily – relatively cheap now.

Cautious Approaches and Trims

Some names warrant caution. Bristol Myers’ Cobenfy holds Alzheimer’s promise, but trials cap upside – trim on strength. Salesforce faces AI disruption risk to seat-based pricing; hold until clarity on Agentforce.

Disney’s mixed results and baggage led to downgrades – better opportunities elsewhere. Eaton’s data center exposure is sensational but erratic; buy patiently on AI slowdown fears.

Home Depot suffers from mortgage rates, operating flawlessly otherwise – want it to win, but not pounding the table yet. Starbucks’ turnaround progresses, China stake sale smart; weakness was buying chance earlier this month.

Standout Performers Since Last Update

DuPont’s surged post-Qnity split – water and materials businesses diversified beautifully. Qnity itself benefits from semi collaborations with Micron, Samsung, TSMC – volatile but credible.

Cisco jumped on beat-and-raise, AI infrastructure winner. Danaher’s buybacks signal confidence; diversify from life sciences. Dover lags AI plays but well-run with strong Q3.

Corning’s fiber optics will replace copper in data centers eventually – long-term AI play. GE Vernova needs gas turbine capacity ramp; like too much to sell.

Healthcare and Consumer Bright Spots

Eli Lilly’s more bullish than ever – weight-loss drugs blockbuster status solidified by Medicare deal. Prices lowering in 2026? Makes them perennial top-sellers.

Capital One crushes it post-Discover merger, buybacks aggressive – stock run limits new buys. BlackRock’s private credit push spooks some; earnings beat shows fee growth resilience.

TJX thrives in off-price retail as consumers hunt bargains – up 22% YTD. Texas Roadhouse fights beef inflation valiantly keeping prices low; margins recover eventually.

Palo Alto’s CyberArk buy bolsters identity security; buy more on dips despite valuation. Solstice Advanced Materials offers nuclear exposure post-Honeywell split – erratic but thematic.

Crafting Your Diversified Portfolio

Putting it all together, the message is clear: balance your AI exposure with resilient growers across sectors. Start with the top three buys – Boeing for turnaround, Honeywell for unlock, Broadcom for AI adjacency.

Add flavor with weakness picks like Nike, Linde, financials. Hold core megacaps and infrastructure winners. Trim or avoid where risks outweigh rewards temporarily.

In my experience, portfolios built this way weather storms better. 2025’s final weeks offer a window before year-end tax moves and 2026 positioning. What if the AI pullback accelerates? You’ll be glad you diversified.

Remember, investing’s a marathon. These updates provide snapshots, but conviction comes from ongoing monitoring. The beauty of growth stocks? When diversified properly, there’s always something working.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how quickly narratives shift. Yesterday’s darlings become today’s dogs, and vice versa. Staying nimble while committed to quality – that’s the winning formula.

So, what’s your next move? Will you load up on Boeing’s revival, bet on Honeywell’s split magic, or scoop Broadcom on dips? The market’s serving up choices; time to build that resilient mix.

One thing’s certain: sticking solely to AI names feels riskier by the day. Spread your wings across these growth picks, and 2026 could start on a high note. After all, the best investors adapt – and right now, adaptation means diversification.

I’ve rattled on enough, but hopefully this breakdown sparks ideas. Markets reward those who see beyond the hype. Here’s to finding your next big winner outside the usual suspects.