Why These 3 Mega-Caps Could Still Surprise Investors in 2026

Core Insights - Visa remains the largest payment processor in the U.S., controlling approximately 50% to 52% of the market, despite competition from Mastercard and American Express [3] - The company has shown a five-year average annual EPS growth of around 16%, with analysts predicting a continued average annual EPS growth of about 13.5% over the next five years [4] - Visa's net income has increased significantly from $12.3 billion in 2021 to $20.1 billion in 2025, marking a more than 63% rise [5] Financial Performance - Visa's stock has gained 13% over the past five years, indicating steady performance [4] - The company's profits from crypto-linked payment cards surged from $14.6 million in January 2025 to $91.3 million by December 2025, reflecting a 525% increase [5] - Institutional ownership of Visa is high at over 82%, with a low short interest of 1.37%, and 24 out of 28 analysts covering the stock have assigned it a Buy rating [6] Market Context - The S&P 500 finished 2025 with its third consecutive double-digit gain, highlighting a favorable market environment for growth stocks [2] - While pure play AI stocks like Palantir have shown significant earnings growth, they are more volatile compared to established companies like Visa, Walmart, and Amazon, which have demonstrated reliable EPS growth over the past five years [7]