Jim Cramer's Mad Money In-Depth Stock Picks, Jan. 8

Stocks discussed in the in-depth session of Jim Cramer’s Mad Money TV program, Monday January 8. Click on a stock ticker for more analysis:

Gilead Sciences (GILD), Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)

Cramer would buy GILD before Tuesday's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, which should give the stock a bounce. Cramer thinks that 2007 will be a good year for biotech in general, and he comments that GILD has a great pipeline and "the best portfolio of HIV drugs on the market." However, The Street is not yet comfortable with GILD's Myogen acquisition, and once fears are put to rest at the conference, Cramer predicts that there will be increased interest in the stock. Cramer would also buy TMO before the company makes its presentation at the conference at 11 a.m on Tuesday, and this "coming out party" and its merger with Fisher Scientific should have a beneficial effect on the stock. Cramer calls TMO the "premier arms supplier to the whole pharmaceutical business" and although it is not a pure play, its end markets are strong. He notes that analysts have been "falling over themselves" to raise estimates, and they still don't realize what a "powerhouse" TMO is, since it will be able to cut costs, increase margins and see 32% growth in 2007. "It's the biggest, the best and deserves to trade at a premium to other life sciences companies," Cramer said, noting that it is cheaper than its rivals.

Related: Gilead paid a high premium to acquire Myogen.

Optium (OPTM)

Cramer declared that OPTM was the most overlooked IPO of 2006 because it was unfairly lumped together with other telcos. He would pick up this "overlooked and written off" stock because it has a triple play of internet, TV and radio. In addition, it is the "optical infrastructure play we have been hoping for, " and has tripled its backlog. Since OPTM is speculative, Cramer suggests doing research before buying, and says that those who find the company's technology hard to understand should move on to something else.

Related: Tiernan Ray discusses Optimum's IPO and other optical stocks.

CEO Interview: Peter Marrone, Yamana Gold (AUY)

Cramer asked Peter Marrone to explain how AUY has such low finding costs and why it is a good option for those who want to invest in gold stocks rather than in gold itself. Marrone explained that Yamana has large mines, and thanks to the size and scope of operations, AUY can produce gold at a low cost. He went on to say that the cash cost of producing AUY's gold is low because of its byproduct credits from copper production, and that its costs for 2007 to 2008 will actually be negative. When Cramer asked about potential acquisitions, Marrone replied that there may be some opportunities in Latin America once AUY's stock price is consistent with its peers. Cramer recommended AUY as a strong gold stock.

Related: The Wall Street transcripts roundtable on gold stocks for 2007

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