After a decade-plus of epic market outperformance, digital payment infrastructure companies Visa (NYSE: V) and Mastercard (NYSE: MA) had a middling 2023. Both companies provided shareholders with a total return (stock price plus dividends reinvested) on par with the S 500's 26% return.

These two tech giants are far from finished, though. After lapping a boom-bust cycle for digital payments during the pandemic, followed by a surge in interest rates from central banks fighting inflation (higher interest rates lower the present value of a stock), Visa and Mastercard could have another great decade ahead of them. This could be true even if a return to more sluggish economic growth is right around the corner.

Here's why Visa and Mastercard are great stocks to build a portfolio around in 2024 and beyond.

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Source Fool.com