14 Hedge Fund Favorites with Strong Setup in 2026

7. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) earns a place on our list of the 14 hedge fund favorites with strong setup in 2026.

As of April 3, 2026, over 90% of covering analysts remain bullish on the stock, with the consensus price target of $665 implying a roughly 35% upside. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) entered late March with Wall Street’s support for its new push into crypto infrastructure.

In an effort to connect fiat rails with on-chain payments, the company decided to purchase stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK on March 17, 2026, for up to $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments.

With digital currency payments surpassing at least $350 billion in volume in 2025, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) aims to leverage BVNK’s technology, which facilitates payments across key blockchain networks in more than 130 countries, enhancing the company’s capacity to link stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and traditional currencies. The agreement, which expands Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE:MA) broader blockchain plan, is expected to close before the end of 2026.

Previously, on March 5, 2026, Bank of America resumed coverage of the stock with a “Buy” rating, highlighting Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) as one of the best risk-adjusted opportunities in the payments industry. This is due to the card network providers’ steady earnings, stable fees, robust cash flow, and exposure to the expansion of cross-border and digital commerce.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is a global technology company in the payments industry that acts as a fast, secure network connecting consumers, financial institutions (banks), merchants, governments, and businesses. It does not issue cards, extend credit, or set rates for consumers; instead, it processes transactions and provides value-added services.