Miss the rally in memory stocks? Cramer sees an even better way to play the memory shortage

Core Viewpoint - Investors are cautioned against chasing the rally in data storage stocks, with a recommendation to focus on companies that alleviate the memory supply crunch [1] Group 1: Data Storage Companies - Micron, Western Digital, Seagate, and Sandisk have seen their shares more than triple last year due to surging AI-related demand and limited supply, granting them immense pricing power [2] - Despite the significant gains, even minor disruptions could severely impact these stocks [2] Group 2: Semiconductor Capital Equipment Makers - Companies like ASML, Applied Materials, KLA Corp, and Lam Research are suggested as a safer investment option, as they benefit from increased demand for manufacturing equipment during chip shortages [3][4] - Micron is investing billions in building new chip factories, indicating a broader trend of increased spending on semiconductor tools across the industry [3][4] Group 3: Performance and Recommendations - ASML's shares increased by 54%, Applied Materials by 58%, KLA by 93%, and Lam Research by 137% last year [5] - Investors are advised to consider buying shares of ASML, Lam Research, or KLA if their prices dip following quarterly earnings reports, while Applied Materials will report next month [5][6] - The expectation is for solid earnings from these companies, but the high valuation may warrant a pullback before buying [6]