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 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.

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