Long-Term Stock Portfolio: 15 Best Stocks for 15 Years

7. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

10-year Revenue Growth: ~11.5%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 151

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is engaged in providing transaction processing and other payment-related products and services. The company has been aided by the favourable macroeconomic environment, underpinned by strong consumer spending. In the Q4 2024 earnings call, the company’s management highlighted that affluent consumers benefited from the wealth effect, with the mass segment being supported by the labor market. The global trend focused on digital payments continues to act as a tailwind for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)’s business. With more transactions moving online and contactless payments becoming prevalent, the company remains well-placed to benefit from the secular shift.

Furthermore, emerging markets continue to provide significant opportunities for growth as they pivot from cash-based economies to digital payment systems. Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)’s global brand recognition, together with its established network, offers a healthy foundation for expansion. Through leveraging the technological expertise as well as adapting to local market conditions, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) can tap into previously underserved populations, fueling transaction volume growth and enhancing the global footprint.

Bretton Capital Management, an investment management company, released Q4 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:

“Visa and Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) kept doing their thing, increasing earnings per share by 15% and 12%, respectively, with their stocks returning 22% and 24%. We continue to closely watch the evolving payments space as it seems like everyone’s always trying to displace the card networks. For now, we don’t see anything gaining much traction.”