Why is Mastercard Incorporated (MA) one of the best major stocks to invest in right now?

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MY) 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. Additionally, 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 company raised the stock’s price target from $635 to $655 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares. The company told investors that the main reason supporting the price target increase was Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE: MA) “strong” fourth-quarter results, with the company continually posting higher growth rates than Visa, despite its smaller size.

Separately, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) released preliminary information from Mastercard SendingPulse™ showing healthy trends as U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, increased 3.9% year-over-year between November 1 and December 21. The Mastercard SendingPulse 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 raised the price target from $600 to $610 while maintaining an In Line rating on the shares. The company also added the stock to its “tactical outperformance” list ahead of the end of the year and into the fourth quarter earnings season, citing valuation, potential return from year-to-date relative underperformance and the potential for increased investor interest by the end of the year as notable factors.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) is a technology company that provides payment solutions for the development and implementation of debit, credit, prepaid, merchant and payment programs through its brands. Its portfolio includes Mastercard, Cirrus and Maestro. The company also offers intelligence and cybersecurity solutions.

While we recognize MA’s potential as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for a hugely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the reshoring trend, check out our free report on the best AI stock in the short term.

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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published on Initiated Monkey.