If you're a long-term investor who likes to buy ASX 200 shares and just put them in the proverbial bottom drawer, chances are you're looking for companies you can hold indefinitely. It's not a bad way to go. After all, none other than legendary investor Warren Buffett once remarked that his own favourite holding time for portfolio positions at Berkshire Hathaway is 'forever'.
Of course, none of us knows what the future might hold. Previous world-famous blue chips like Ansett, Kodak, and General Electric, which were once thought of as unassailable, have since gone the way of the dodo. Others, like perhaps General Motors, are currently shadows of their former selves.
With that in mind, here are 3 ASX 200 shares that I think will not only survive, but thrive, for the foreseeable future.
Three ASX 200 shares to buy today and hold forever
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
Wesfarmers is not exactly a household name, but many of the businesses in its portfolio certainly are. These include Kmart, Target, Officeworks, and Bunnings, the crown jewel.
Wesfarmers is more than a pure ASX 200 retailer, though. It also owns extensive operations in mining, mineral processing, chemical and fertiliser manufacturing, and more. It is one of the most diversified blue-chip shares on our market.
Wesfarmers has been operating in Australia for decades. It has always demonstrated a knack for generating top returns and healthy dividend income for its shareholders. I don't see why this won't continue going forward, given the ongoing popularity of its companies.
Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
Next up, we have an ASX 200 share that coincidentally used to be one of those businesses in Wesfarmers' portfolio. Coles is a stock that most Australians would be familiar with, given its status as the second-largest player in the Australian supermarket and grocery sector.
That in itself highlights the benefits of owning Coles shares in a long-term portfolio. Food, drinks, and household essentials are things we all need to buy constantly and will continue to need, except for some evolutionary miracle.
As long as Coles is a cheap and convenient place to buy these life essentials, the business should prosper.
I've been impressed with Coles' investment in supply-chain automation, online click-and-collect, and delivery. With a decent dividend yield on offer today, this is another company that I think will serve a 'buy-and-hold' investor well.
Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)
Despite much talk about the younger generations giving up the drink, I still believe that thousands of years of human history will continue to hold and that Australians will continue to partake in the odd tipple in the decades ahead. If so, it's likely that the first port of call for many will continue to be Dan Murphy's or BWS, one of the bottle shop brands owned by ASX 200 share Endeavour Group.
Endeavour has been facing some issues in recent years, with shareholders pushing for a more aggressive management strategy. However, with entrenched market dominance and relatively cheap prices, I think Endeavour is as close to a sure thing on the ASX as one can get if you're looking for a bottom-drawer investment.
