I think that investing in quality shares with positive long-term growth prospects for a prolonged period of time is one of the best investment strategies around.
For example, if you had invested $5,000 in Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) shares 10 years ago, that investment would now be worth over $35,000. This is despite the fact its shares are down 20% from their 52-week high of $76.18.
With that in mind, here are three top shares that I would consider investing $5,000 into this month:
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
In my opinion this biotherapeutics company is probably the ultimate buy and hold share on the Australian share market. Over the past 10 years the company has achieved average annual earnings growth of 13%. Impressively, thanks to the strength of its core plasma business, its growing Seqirus influenza business, and pipeline of new drugs, the market expects earnings growth to accelerate to above 20% per annum over the next couple of years.
Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP)
Domino's Pizza has come under a lot of pressure over the last 18 months after falling short of its earnings guidance. While there are some that expect it to do likewise in FY 2018, there is a little over four weeks left until the end of the financial year. I believe management would know by now if they were going to miss their guidance and would have updated the market accordingly. This could make it an opportune time to pick up shares with a long-term view. Especially given its plans to more than double its store footprint over the next seven years.
NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)
Although NEXTDC is one of the more expensive shares on the Australian share market, I remain optimistic that the incredible demand for data centre services will more than justify the premium. This is because NEXTDC has significant capacity and world class centres in key business locations throughout the country, positioning it perfectly to capture a large slice of the rapid-growing market. However, it is worth remembering that failure to live up to the market's lofty expectations could lead to a sizeable share price decline.
