Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the stock market Monday
Jim Cramer’s Aug. 3 watchlist cites U.S.-Iran peace talks boosting stock futures and weighing on oil, with WTI down over 5% below $80. It also notes reported AstraZeneca-Bristol Myers talks valuing a combined firm near $400B, plus analyst actions on Eaton, Corning, Intel, ASML, Starbucks, Linde, and Stellantis.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The only potentially market-moving primary catalyst in the text is the reported AZN-BMY merger talks with a stated valuation; the rest are mostly sell-side rating/PT changes and Cramer’s portfolio framing, which can drive short-term flows but are not new operating disclosures.
Market read
Traders may focus on deal-rumor risk (AZN/BMY) and near-term sentiment from multiple analyst rating/PT changes, while macro oil moves set the broader tone.
What to watch
For the oil linkage, the article does not quantify how much Boeing or other equities are actually exposed; for ASML, the China DUV report credibility is explicitly questioned, implying high uncertainty.
Background
This is a CNBC Investing Club style “things to watch” list mixing macro (oil, U.S.-Iran talks) with analyst actions (upgrades/downgrades/PT changes) and one reported pharma merger discussion.
Ticker impact
Cramer says Boeing benefits most from renewed U.S.-Iran peace talks that are pushing oil prices lower.
Mild positive bias, more sentiment-driven than fundamentals.
The article does not provide Boeing-specific operational updates, only a macro linkage and portfolio commentary.
AstraZeneca is reported to be in talks to merge with Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal valuing a joint company around $400B.
Volatile, deal-rumor driven trading with upside skew if talks progress.
The article attributes a specific valuation and describes the strategic rationale, but it is still a report of talks, not a signed deal.
The article says Bristol Myers Squibb is in talks with AstraZeneca for a merger that could value the combined company around $400B.
Potential upside on deal momentum, with downside if talks fail.
Specific deal valuation and strategic framing are provided, but no confirmation or terms beyond the report.
Eaton was upgraded to buy from hold at Evercore ISI, with analysts raising the price target to $502.
Likely positive drift versus peers if the upgrade gains traction.
The article includes a concrete rating change and explicit price target update.
Corning was upgraded to buy from hold by Truist, citing a better entry point and firm data-center fiber optics spending.
Short-term upside bias as investors re-rate the stock after the drawdown.
The article provides both the rating/PT action and the specific demand rationale.
Cramer addresses Intel concerns, arguing there is an overhang from a Situational Awareness hedge fund collapse and sticking with the stock for the Club.
Limited incremental impact unless traders treat it as a catalyst for flows.
No new Intel datapoint, guidance, or event is disclosed, only rebuttal of chatter.
Starbucks was upgraded to hold from sell at Melius Research, with Cramer citing CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround gaining steam.
Moderate upside bias if the market follows the upgrade.
The article states the rating change but does not include a price target or new financial figures.
Citi cut its price target on Linde to $580 from $600 after mixed second-quarter earnings, while Cramer stays long.
Choppy reaction risk, with downside limited if investors focus on the long-term supply strength thesis.
The article includes the explicit PT reduction and references earnings context, but no new Linde guidance numbers.
Market effects
Deal-rumor in large pharma (AZN/BMY) and multiple analyst rating changes across industrials, semis, and consumer staples suggest broad cross-sector re-rating risk.
European conviction-list action for ASML highlights ongoing sensitivity to China chipmaking competition narratives.
U.S.-Iran peace talks are linked to oil weakness, which can spill into global energy-sensitive equities and risk appetite.
Counterpoint
Several items are upgrades/downgrades and portfolio commentary without new company fundamentals; deal talk (AZN/BMY) may not progress and could fade quickly.
Key entities
- companyAstraZeneca
Reported to be in talks to merge with Bristol Myers Squibb, valuing a joint company around $400B.
- companyBristol Myers Squibb
Reported merger talks with AstraZeneca; Cramer frames BMY’s patent-cliff context and cancer franchise.
- companyEaton
Evercore ISI upgrade to buy from hold with price target raised to $502.
- companyCorning
Truist upgrade to buy from hold; thesis cites firm data-center fiber optics spending.
- companyStarbucks
Melius Research upgrade to hold from sell; turnaround narrative tied to CEO Brian Niccol.
