Jim Cramer Says 'Buy' Amazon Amid Fresh Round Of Planned Layoffs

CNBC host Jim Cramer is doubling down on Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) stock, issuing a succinct “Buy” rating just days after reports emerged that the tech giant is preparing to slash thousands more corporate jobs—a move some analysts believe is quietly driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Bull Case For Efficiency

On Monday, the Mad Money host posted a straightforward directive to his followers: “Amazon: Buy.” Cramer's endorsement aligns with a broader Wall Street sentiment that favors Amazon's aggressive pivot toward “operational efficiency.”

The stock, currently trading near $240, has seen analysts set a consensus price target of $291.40 s per Benzinga, representing a potential upside of over 24%.

The optimism follows reports that Amazon is initiating a second wave of mass layoffs. The company plans to cut approximately 14,000 corporate roles, mirroring a similar reduction in October 2025.

These cuts, affecting divisions including Amazon Web Services, Prime Video, and Human Resources, are part of a larger strategy to eliminate roughly 30,000 white-collar positions.

‘Unspeakable’ AI Factor

While CEO Andy Jassy has publicly stated these reductions are driven by “culture” rather than financial distress or AI, prominent voices in the tech investment space remain skeptical.

Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, argues that the “cultural” narrative is a cover for a reality executives find too difficult to discuss: AI is replacing human labor. “One truth about how AI is impacting the workforce is that it's hard to talk about,” Munster noted on X.

He believes acknowledging that AI is enabling smaller teams would severely damage employee morale. Munster pointed to recent warnings from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who cautioned that AI-driven unemployment could eventually hit 10%.

Amazon Up Nearly 6% In 2026

So far, in 2026, shares of Amazon have risen by 5.59%. It was up 2.74% over the last six-months and 1.59% over the year. On Friday, the shares rose 2.06% to close at $239.16 a piece.

Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that AMZN maintains a strong price trend over the short, medium, and long terms, with a robust quality ranking.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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