The co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies (PLTR) recently appeared on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, where he extolled the virtues of living in America. Related: Palantir stock surges on huge S&P 500 decision “I was viewed as the Frankenstein monster,

But one analyst, Mariana Perez Mora of Bank of America rates shares a Buy, with a street-high $50 price target on the stock. The analyst believes Wall Street misunderstands Palantir, and sees big things in the company's future, justifying a higher stock price.

Shares of the data-analytics company, which is set to join the S&P 500, have more than doubled this year, and are up another 2.8% Monday. Much of that gain has accrued not to big institutions but to loyal amateurs that have long supported the company and its CEO Alex Karp.

The stellar performance of Palantir (NYSE:PLTR) over the past year has placed the stock in good company. Starting next Monday, PLTR will be