In a year defined by elevated volatility, two of Jim Cramer’s 2025 stock picks have emerged as clear outperformers.
Their gains stand out not only for their magnitude but also because they run counter to long-standing criticism of Cramer’s past calls, many of which have been linked to poorly timed enthusiasm and subsequent underperformance.
In 2025, however, these winners have been supported by measurable financial improvements and sector-specific tailwinds.
Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ: LRCX)
Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ: LRCX) has been one of the strongest performers among large-cap semiconductor stocks. By press time, the shares were trading at $172.27, up 137% year to date.
The rally has been fueled by a recovery and expansion in wafer fabrication equipment spending, which industry analysts estimate reached about $105 billion in 2025, up sharply from the prior year.
Lam’s exposure to deposition and etch tools used in advanced logic and memory manufacturing placed it at the center of renewed capital spending by chipmakers focused on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Financially, Lam delivered multiple earnings beats during the year. Revenue growth accelerated into the high single-digit to low double-digit range year over year in key quarters, while operating margins stayed above 30%, reflecting strong pricing power and cost discipline.
The company’s free cash flow reached $5.4 billion in fiscal 2025, roughly 29% of revenue, marking a record level and pointing to robust internal cash generation.
Notably, Cramer has specifically pointed to Lam’s valuation as a key attraction, characterizing the shares as inexpensive relative to their earnings power and industry position.
Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE)
Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) has also delivered meaningful shareholder value in 2025, benefiting from a broad recovery in travel demand and improved operational performance that translated into strong earnings.
By press time, the stock was trading at $289.25, up 56% year to date, representing a solid rebound for a company previously weighed down by uneven results.
Cramer has highlighted Expedia’s relative valuation versus competitors, noting that it trades at a lower earnings multiple than rivals such as Booking Holdings, a point he has cited to support interest in the stock despite industry headwinds.
In the third quarter of 2025, Expedia reported revenue of $4.41 billion, up about 9% year over year, and adjusted earnings per share of $7.57, a 23% increase from the prior year that comfortably beat expectations.
Gross bookings rose roughly 12% to $30.73 billion, while booked room nights climbed 11% to 108.2 million, signaling sustained consumer engagement.
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