SanDisk (SNDK) Stock Surges 2,739% in 12 Months as Cramer Highlights Memory Supply Crunch

Key Takeaways

  • SNDK shares have surged 2,739% over the trailing 12 months, with a 246% gain in 2026 alone, finishing at $952.50
  • Jim Cramer has maintained a bullish stance on SNDK for months, highlighting extraordinary memory demand levels
  • The stock is scheduled to join the Nasdaq-100 index on April 20, creating automatic institutional purchase requirements
  • Persistent AI data center needs for NAND flash memory and enterprise-grade SSDs fuel the ongoing rally
  • Potential headwind: numerous data center initiatives announced after ChatGPT’s debut have faced delays or cancellations

SanDisk has emerged as one of the market’s hottest topics this month. Jim Cramer has consistently championed SNDK for several months, and the position has delivered substantial returns.

SNDK Stock Card
Sandisk Corporation, SNDK

Throughout the past year, SNDK has skyrocketed 2,739%. For 2026 specifically, shares have jumped 246.06%, settling at $952.50 on April 14. During after-hours activity that evening, the stock climbed an additional 2.47% to $976.

Cramer weighed in on the stock while discussing the market’s positive response to the Iran ceasefire agreement. He highlighted a group of memory-focused companies — SanDisk, Western Digital, Lam Research, and Seagate — emphasizing that demand for their offerings is “off the charts.”

However, his commentary wasn’t purely celebratory. Cramer characterized SanDisk and Western Digital as “a tax on the system,” explaining that they continuously push prices higher because supply remains severely constrained. He observed that memory represents “low intellectual property” and inflates data center construction costs across the board.

Nevertheless, he confirmed the underlying demand narrative holds true. Data centers require substantial memory capacity, and the market faces significant shortages. This supply-demand imbalance has been the primary driver behind SNDK’s extraordinary performance.

Nasdaq-100 Entry Scheduled for April 20

A significant technical catalyst is now confirmed on the schedule. SNDK is anticipated to enter the Nasdaq-100 on April 20. Upon inclusion, passive funds that track the index must purchase shares, creating substantial institutional buying pressure.

This type of mandatory purchasing has traditionally elevated stock prices during the period surrounding index additions. Some market observers interpret the event as a potential short-term peak rather than a launch point, since it can trigger a classic sell-the-news scenario once the buying wave concludes.

The rally reflects genuine fundamental drivers, not merely speculative momentum. SNDK[[/LINK_END_3]] produces NAND flash storage solutions and enterprise solid-state drives — precisely the components that hyperscalers and data center operators require in massive quantities.

With AI infrastructure investment maintaining elevated levels, the company has captured direct benefits. This demand is materializing in both revenue projections and share price appreciation.

Data Center Project Delays Present Notable Risk

Not all indicators are positive. Numerous large-scale data center developments announced following ChatGPT’s public introduction have experienced postponements or complete cancellations.

The contributing factors are diverse — community resistance, overly ambitious schedules, and mounting skepticism about whether AI is genuinely producing returns for adopting enterprises. Multiple studies conducted in early 2026 indicated that organizations implementing AI solutions experienced minimal or zero productivity improvements.

Should data center construction momentum decline significantly, the demand drivers supporting memory suppliers like SanDisk could deteriorate. A substantial portion of the stock’s valuation expansion has been predicated on expectations of major hardware procurement from enterprise customers.

As of April 14, SNDK was exchanging hands at $976 during extended trading hours, with Nasdaq-100 inclusion arriving in just six days.

The post SanDisk (SNDK) Stock Surges 2,739% in 12 Months as Cramer Highlights Memory Supply Crunch appeared first on Blockonomi.

Source: https://blockonomi.com/sandisk-sndk-stock-surges-2739-in-12-months-as-cramer-highlights-memory-supply-crunch/