12 Best Stocks to Buy in 2026 for Beginners

10. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Analyst Upside: 20.96%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 140

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is one of the best stocks to buy in 2026 for beginners. The stock has received several rating updates from analysts since the beginning of the year. On January 13, Citi reiterated a Buy rating on Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) and set a price target of $735.

The same day, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Compass Point, with the firm lifting the price target to $735 from $620. It told investors that it is inclined towards the networks over all other payment companies going into 2026, and that the sector is “finding a bottom” that is likely to materialize after the fiscal Q4 earnings reports. Compass Point anticipates a rebound in stocks after the fiscal Q4 results, and expects “superior” net revenue growth for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), stating that its multiple is too low.

In another development, TD Cowen lifted the price target on Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) to $668 from $654 on January 12 and reiterated a Buy rating on the shares. The rating update came as part of a fiscal Q4 preview, with the firm telling investors that it believes Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE:MA) fundamental backdrop “remains steady with resilience in consumer spend.”

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.