Why is Mastercard Incorporated (MA) One of the Best Major Stocks to Invest in Right Now?

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is one of the best major stocks to invest in right now. Monness Crespi Hardt & Co., Inc. reiterated a Hold rating on Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) on January 5 and set a price target of $525.00. In addition, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained a Buy rating on the company on January 2 with a price target of $665.00.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) also received a rating update from Freedom Capital on December 25. The firm lifted the price target on the stock to $655 from $635 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares. The firm told investors that the primary reason supporting the price target increase is Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE:MA) “strong” Q4 results, with the company continually posting higher growth rates when compared to Visa, despite its smaller scale.

Separately, Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE:MA) released preliminary insights from the Mastercard SpendingPulse™ show healthy trends, with the US retail sales, excluding automotive, growing 3.9% year-over-year between November 1 and December 21. The Mastercard SpendingPulse measures both online and in-store retail sales, representing all payment types. It is not adjusted for inflation.

The stock received another rating update from Evercore ISI on December 12, which lifted the price target to $610 from $600 while keeping an In Line rating on the shares. The firm also added the stock to its “Tactical Outperform” list going into the end of the year and into the fiscal Q4 earnings season, citing valuation, potential reversion of relative year-to-date underperformance, and the potential for higher investor interest going into year-end as notable factors.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is a technology company that provides payment solutions for developing and implementing debit, credit, prepaid, commercial, and payment programs via its brands. Its portfolio includes Mastercard, Cirrus, and Maestro. The company also offers intelligence and cyber solutions.

While we acknowledge the potential of MA  as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.