Jim Cramer's Mad Money In-Depth, 10/18/07: ICE Hot Merger

Stocks discussed in the in-depth session of Jim Cramer’s Mad Money TV program, Thursday October 18. Click on a stock ticker for more analysis:

InterContinental Exchange (ICE), New York Stock Exchange (NYX)

Broadcasting the show from Georgia Tech, Cramer said ICE just may be the stock that will redeem Cramer's "most disappointing pick" NYX, if NYX takes over ICE. Cramer calls ICE "the single best way to play volatility on oil," since the exchange makes money with every trade. A merger would be "a marriage made in heaven" and combined, ICE and NYX would become " a global powerhouse."

Related: Ant & Sons discuss competition for a NYX takeover.

Olympic Coke: Coca-Cola (KO) Pepsico (PEP)

Cramer says Coke is the one beverage company to buy, since it has made a major comeback under CEO Neville Isdell. KO has not only caught up with its rival Pepsi, it has beaten earnings, reported 19.2% sales growth, has an impressive buyback program and offers a solid yield. Coke has recently purchased Glaceau and is preparing for a huge upside with the Olympics in China next year, since it is sponsoring the entire event. CFO Gary Fayard appeared on Mad Money and commented, "We are the one company in the world that supports all of the Olympics. This is where the world comes together and we are the world's beverage company." When asked how the company managed to find 5 million new Coke drinkers, Fayard replied that 80% of its business is overseas, and the company continues its expansion into emerging economies.

Related: FP Trading Desk discusses upward revisions for Coke.

Comments on Student Picks: Nokia (NOK), Grant Prideco (GRP), Transocean (RIG), J. Crew (JCG), Fossil (FOSL), SunTrust's (STI), Citigroup (C)

Cramer agreed with one student's bearish comments about NOK and the mobile phone craze in emerging countries. Another student discussed GRP's expected improvement in its margins after the consolidation of its facilities, but Cramer said he prefers RIG. While Cramer agreed that JCG is good, he got out his pillow and blanket and took a nap when one student discussed the merits of Fossil. "It's probably OK," commented Cramer when he woke up," I wish I liked shopping there more." He added there is not much upside in retail. Concerning Atlanta-based SunTrust, Cramer told the Georgia Tech students he as "blown away" by the company's quarter, and STI is a "nice, conservative financial" which will thrive after the next Fed rate cut. A student asked Cramer how people like Citigroup CEO Chuck Prince behave around him after he makes fun of them on his show, and Cramer replied; "They don't want to spend a minute with me and I don't want to spend a minute with them."

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