Jim Cramer: Amazon spending looks painful but it's not a reason to sell the stock

Core Viewpoint - Jim Cramer encourages Amazon investors to remain patient and trust the company's significant spending strategy despite risks to profits, expressing confidence in CEO Andy Jassy's leadership [1] Financial Performance - Amazon shares fell 5.6% to $210 after announcing a 2026 capital expenditure forecast of $200 billion, significantly higher than the expected $146.6 billion [1] - The company provided a lower-than-expected earnings outlook for the current quarter, although fourth-quarter results showed revenue and operating income exceeding expectations [1] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud growth accelerated to 24% year-over-year, marking the fastest growth in 13 quarters [1] Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow - The $200 billion capex forecast for 2026 is $50 billion above expectations, leading to concerns about minimal free cash flow, which was estimated at $37 billion prior to the announcement [1] - AWS backlog reached $244 billion, up 40% year-over-year and 22% quarter-over-quarter, indicating strong demand [1] Competitive Landscape - Analysts express concerns that AWS is lagging behind competitors like Google Cloud, which grew 48%, and Microsoft Azure, which grew 39% [1] - There are worries about Amazon's retail business facing a "structural disadvantage" if it does not integrate AI platforms more effectively [1] Analyst Reactions - Several Wall Street firms have cut Amazon's price targets, with Wedbush lowering it to $300 from $340, Cantor Fitzgerald to $250 from $260, and D.A. Davidson to $175 from $300 while downgrading the stock to neutral [1] - Despite the high capex, analysts believe Amazon's long-term strategy may pay off, but short-term volatility is expected [1] Industry Context - Other tech giants like Alphabet and Meta are also increasing spending, but investors perceive clearer near-term returns from their AI investments compared to Amazon [1] - Nvidia's CEO defended the rising capital expenditures in Big Tech, stating they are "appropriate and sustainable," highlighting Nvidia's position as a major beneficiary of this spending [1]