Jim Cramer Compares Palantir to an NFL Wide Receiver: High Upside but High Risk

Syeda Seirut Javed Wed, September 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT | 4 min read

• PLTR

During the Mad Money episode aired on September 8, Jim Cramer designated Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) as a portfolio wide receiver. Comparing the high-flying software maker to Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, he stated:

"How about some wide receivers? In terms of your stock portfolio, wide receivers are the equivalent of pure growth stocks. They could explode for huge point outputs in any given week if they have a bunch of catches and score a few long touchdowns, but they're a lot more hit or miss than a running back. What does it sound like? Palantir. That's right. Palantir Technologies, the software company with a stock that was white hot in late 2024 and most of 2025 before getting ice cold for the first half of this year and only recently turned hot again, rallying more than 60% from its shooting lows. Not bad. When it's working, though, there have been few stocks better than Palantir. They recently reported a magnificent quarter, but the stock also sells for more than 100 times this year's earnings estimates. Not cheap. Best NFL analog for Palantir? Well… I like Ja'Marr Chase from the Cincinnati Bengals, one of the best receivers in the league, even as he's coming off a down year last season. Chase also has some injury concerns, making him more risky, like Palantir's high price-to-earnings multiple."

A Pure Growth Powerhouse and Strategic Expansion

Cramer's classification of Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) as a wide receiver highlights its capacity for explosive upside, driven by massive enterprise and government artificial intelligence demand. The company's financials back up the narrative.

The company reported record-breaking Q2 2026 revenue of $1.94 billion, representing a 93% year-over-year increase. Growth was heavily supported by its domestic market, where U.S. commercial revenue surged 149% year-over-year to $764 million, along with an impressive Rule of 40 score of 155% and adjusted operating margins reaching 62%. (This was also discussed in "Jim Cramer Explains Why Palantir's Rule of 40 Dominance Proves Bears Wrong".)

Following a sharp recovery from its mid-year lows, the stock has shown a game-changing momentum characteristic of a premier growth asset.

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) is also growing its partner network:

• The company teamed up with Nebius Group to bring secure compute power inside its perimeter, allowing clients to run open-source models safely.
• An expanded alliance with PwC introduces a new corporate deal platform built on Foundry and AIP. The tool helps companies execute mergers and acquisitions up to 50% faster while cutting transaction costs by 45%, along with modernizing SAP data.

Steep Valuation Multiples and Elevated Risks

Buying high-growth tech stocks always comes with extra risk. With Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) trading at a forward earnings multiple of around 76x, the company could have very little to no room for error. Because the stock is priced so high, any broader market pullback, economic slowdown, or minor business hiccup can trigger a sharp drop as investors quickly rethink their positions.

Institutional Footprint and Short Interest Trends

According to Insider Monkey's data tracking over 1,000 hedge funds:

• 86 funds held a stake in Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) during Q2, compared to 96 in the prior quarter.
• Short interest stands at 3.18% of the public float.

The slight dip in fund backing, paired with modest short exposure, may suggest that while some professional managers are watching the stock's rich valuation closely, bearish conviction has largely taken a backseat to the company's accelerating commercial growth.

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) captures the high-risk, high-reward profile of a classic portfolio wide receiver. While its premium valuation requires careful risk management, its noteworthy ability to convert software demand into bottom-line expansion keeps it firmly on the radar.