The case for holding ASX growth shares for the next 20 years

Investing in this asset class could be the key to growing your wealth.

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Key points

  • ASX growth shares offer significant wealth-building potential by reinvesting earnings into business expansion, compounding returns over decades.
  • Patience is crucial for long-term investors, allowing them to withstand market volatility and benefit from the enduring growth of innovative and market-leading companies.
  • Current opportunities in ASX growth shares feature companies with strong market positions and scalable operations, poised for compounding growth over the next 20 years.

When it comes to building wealth, nothing beats time in the market. And while dividends often grab the headlines in Australia, growth shares are where compounding really gets the chance to shine.

For patient investors willing to hold through the ups and downs, ASX growth shares could be powerful wealth creators over the next two decades.

Why growth matters

Growth shares may not always pay big dividends, but they reinvest their earnings into expansion. That reinvestment fuels new products, bigger customer bases, and higher profits down the track.

Over 20 years, this cycle of reinvestment and compounding can multiply the value of your investment many times over. It has the same principle that helped turn early investments in ASX growth shares like Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) and WiseTech Group Ltd (ASX: WTC) into extraordinary winners for long-term shareholders.

The benefit of patience

The hardest part about holding ASX growth shares isn't buying them, it is resisting the temptation to sell when the market wobbles. Growth shares can be volatile, and their valuations often swing more than income stocks.

But if you believe in the underlying business, the rewards for staying the course can be life changing. By looking past short-term noise, investors can benefit from innovation and market leadership that unfold over decades.

Today's opportunities

The ASX has no shortage of exciting growth stocks. For example, Pro Medicus continues to win long-term contracts with U.S. healthcare networks, giving it a growing stream of high-margin revenue.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) has built one of the stickiest software businesses in Australia, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) climbing as more customers migrate to its cloud platform. Management believes it can double its ARR every five years.

Meanwhile, Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) is rapidly expanding its global user base, turning its popular family safety app into a powerful subscription business.

Each of these stocks has a strong position in its market, scalable operations, and the potential to deliver compounding growth over the next 20 years.

Foolish takeaway

The key to success with ASX growth shares is time. By buying quality businesses and holding them for decades, investors can harness the power of compounding in a way that few other strategies allow.

While there will be ups and downs along the way, the long-term case for ASX growth shares remains as strong as ever. For investors with patience and discipline, the next 20 years could be full of opportunity.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Life360, Pro Medicus, Technology One, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Life360, Technology One, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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