CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wednesday that investors shouldn't jump ship despite signs of slowing activity across key parts of the economy. Cramer's comments come as high interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and political opposition weigh on stocks across industries.
The U.S. housing market remains mired in a multiyear period of sluggishness, IPO and M & A activity has slowed, and even the booming data-center buildout is facing new obstacles — leaving fewer catalysts to drive crucial parts of the market higher. "Market after market is getting frozen right now and that's killing stocks," the " Mad Money " host said. Housing is perhaps the clearest example.
The 30-year mortgage rate has climbed to roughly 7.5%, from about 3% five years ago, leaving many homeowners locked into cheaper mortgages reluctant or unable to move. "The nearly 7.5% mortgage has made housing the least affordable it's been in 40 years," Cramer said.
The slowdown has rippled across housing-related stocks, including homebuilders Lennar and KB Home and retailers Home Depot and Lowe's, both of which hit fresh 52-week lows on Wednesday. Fewer home sales also mean less spending on appliances, furniture and renovations, pressuring stocks like Whirlpool, which also hit a 52-week low Wednesday.
Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio run by the CNBC Investing Club, owns shares of Home Depot. Once-booming capital markets are also showing signs of slowing. Cramer pointed to smart ring maker Oura's decision to postpone its planned $2.2 billion IPO, as well as Dunkin Donuts and Buffalo Wild Wings' parent Inspire Brands shelving its own offering.
Shares of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs — the premier investment banks on Wall Street — both declined roughly 12% in the month of September and set their highs for the year in July.
The Investing Club owns Goldman shares. "Without IPOs or M & A, the huge banking cohort is frozen except for fees," Cramer said. "That's just not good enough." Even the booming data-center industry faces new obstacles as political concerns around electricity costs and other impacts threaten to slow development.
The stakes are raised by this being a midterm election year, with Democrats and Republicans vying for control of Congress. But Cramer cautioned investors against abandoning the market because headwinds can quickly turn into tailwinds.
Most notably, an end to the war could push oil and inflation lower, potentially prompting the Federal Reserve to take another interest rate hike off the table and unleashing a powerful stock rally. "It could happen in three quick days, perhaps the three most important days of 2026," Cramer said. "That's why I hesitate to leave the market at this moment." If the economy starts to thaw, Cramer concluded, "then you get a virtual running of the bulls." Sign up now for the CNBC Investing Club to follow Jim Cramer's every move in the market.
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