Cramer Identifies Nvidia and Apple as the Only Stocks He'll Never Sell

Only two stocks have earned the rare sacred label from Jim Cramer, a status that puts them beyond his typical sell-off rules.

He made that argument on that same show, instructing viewers to sell almost any other position once its narrative alters. Nvidia and Apple, however, are the two exceptions.

The Discipline Behind Few Exceptions

Cramer's central point is straightforward: investors must follow what he terms 'buy and homework' rather than 'buy and hold.' A share only deserves continued loyalty so long as the original rationale remains. The moment those underlying facts shift, the holding must be sold, he maintains.

His strict sell rule is a key part of his public image. Numerous traders have devised strategies to bet against his market predictions, a phenomenon BeInCrypto has documented via the Inverse Cramer trade.

Given that reputation, labeling any equity as untouchable is highly unusual for Cramer.

Why Nvidia and Apple Receive Special Treatment

Cramer awards his top endorsement — 'own it, don't trade it' — to precisely two firms. He cited the strength of their leadership as the key reason for that confidence.

Cramer brought up Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's visit to the program in September 2022. At that time, the share price had declined for much of that year. Huang went on to explain how AI would rely on Nvidia's processors. The stock then touched its lowest point within a month and climbed to record peaks the following spring.

He also compared that to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. Benioff maintained that his company's operations had not decelerated during the Great Recession, while the wider economy was struggling. Cramer noted that both of these predictions turned out correct. It is that kind of record, he believes, that earns long-term confidence.

Still, Cramer did not urge investors to abandon all critical thinking. He said that the homework remains necessary to assess Nvidia's compressed valuation compared with Apple's record run. He added that either company could still face unexpected changes.

A Warning That Sacred Status Isn't Permanent

To balance that praise, Cramer offered caution. He pointed to Bed Bath & Beyond's unsuccessful $11.8 billion buyback plan. Such an example, he said, demonstrates that even capable executives can misjudge a struggling company.

In Cramer's eyes, equities achieve lasting favor rather than being born with it. Nvidia and Apple currently enjoy that standing. Yet there is no assurance they will maintain it in the future.