What constitutes a blue chip stock is subject to some debate, but the term generally refers to large businesses that reliably create wealth for shareholders. Most blue chip stocks have a wide market presence and a well-known brand, and many pay a dividend that consistently climbs over time.

(NASDAQ: MSFT) and Mastercard (NYSE: MA) meet most of those criteria, and both stocks could soar when economic conditions improve and the next bull market begins. Here's why.

Microsoft is the IT backbone of many companies around the world. Its office productivity suite (Microsoft 365) is the most popular enterprise software product in any category. But the company also has a strong presence in communications, enterprise resource planning, robotic process automation, and cybersecurity software, and all four markets are expected to grow at a double-digit pace through the end of the decade.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com