Dell Technologies posted what CNBC's Jim Cramer called one of the biggest earnings blowouts he can recall, and the results are setting the stage for what could be a defining week for technology and artificial intelligence stocks.
Cramer, host of Mad Money, said Friday that Dell's quarter was so strong it raised a broader question about the company's trajectory. "When we look back, I wonder if we'll say this was that moment when Dell simply took over the computer space," he said.
Tech stocks have led the market in 2026, driven largely by companies tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. But Cramer noted one laggard in the group: Nvidia. That could change next week when CEO Jensen Huang delivers a keynote at Computex in Taiwan, an event Cramer described as a "stake in the ground moment" for the company. New announcements, particularly about personal computers, are expected. Executives from Arm Holdings, Marvell Technology, Intel, and Qualcomm will also be present.
The week ahead is packed with earnings reports. On Tuesday, Dollar General reports after rival Dollar Tree turned in stronger-than-expected results. Cramer expects Dollar General shares could rebound. Also Tuesday, Palo Alto Networks reports after the bell. Cramer said rising AI-driven cyber threats could support results, though the stock often sees profit-taking following earnings.
Ulta Beauty also reports Tuesday after a difficult stretch. Shares have fallen sharply since the company's last earnings report in March, and Deutsche Bank cut its price target on the stock on Friday. "It was jarring," Cramer said of the cut.
Wednesday brings reports from Medtronic, Broadcom, and CrowdStrike. Cramer said he is not yet ready to be aggressive on Medtronic until he sees the quarter. On Broadcom, he said the company "could deliver a good" quarter, though shares have lagged some AI chip peers this year. CrowdStrike has gone "parabolic" and may face profit-taking even on strong results, he said. Discount retailer Five Below also reports Wednesday. Cramer said he likes the stock "very much here" after a sharp pullback.
Thursday features Ciena and Lululemon. Cramer said Ciena's proprietary technology leaves room for further growth despite a large run this year. Lululemon, by contrast, faces what he called a potential "reset quarter," and he cautioned investors against buying the stock before earnings are released.
The week closes Friday with the Labor Department's monthly jobs report, which Cramer said could shape expectations for interest rate cuts. "It's a very important number," he said.
