If I knew I wouldn't be able to check my portfolio for the next 12 months, I wouldn't want to own anything that required close monitoring or perfect timing.
In that situation, I would focus on businesses with competitive advantages, predictable demand, and management teams that have already proven they can navigate different conditions without constant intervention.
These are three ASX 200 shares I'd be comfortable owning if I had to step away for a year and let the businesses do the work.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
Wesfarmers is a stock I trust due to its diversified business.
Through brands like Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, WesCEF, and its growing healthcare exposure, Wesfarmers generates cash from multiple sources rather than relying on a single driver. That diversification helps smooth performance when individual segments face pressure.
Just as importantly, management has a strong track record of disciplined capital allocation. The company has shown it is willing to invest when returns make sense, exit when they do not, and maintain balance sheet strength throughout.
If I could not check my portfolio for a year, I would want a business like Wesfarmers quietly compounding in the background.
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
CSL earns its place on this list through the essential nature of its products.
The company operates in global plasma therapies and vaccines, areas where demand is driven by medical need rather than economic conditions. That makes its earnings more resilient than those of many cyclical businesses.
CSL also benefits from scale, deep expertise, and long-term investment in research and development. These factors create high barriers to entry and support sustainable returns over time.
Healthcare stocks are rarely free from short-term noise, but if I had to look away for a year, CSL is exactly the kind of business I would trust to keep executing.
Transurban Group (ASX: TCL)
Transurban appeals to me for its predictability.
This ASX 200 share owns and operates toll roads in major cities where population growth, congestion, and commuting patterns are long-term realities. People may complain about tolls, but they continue to use the roads.
Revenue is supported by long-term concessions and, in many cases, inflation-linked pricing. That provides visibility around cash flows and supports ongoing distributions to investors.
While large infrastructure projects take time to develop, Transurban's existing asset base does most of the heavy lifting. That makes it a business I am comfortable owning without needing to track daily developments.
Foolish Takeaway
If I couldn't check my portfolio for a year, my priority would be peace of mind.
Wesfarmers, CSL, and Transurban operate in very different parts of the economy, but they share important qualities. They provide essential goods or services, generate reliable cash flows, and are run by management teams with long-term track records.
For me, those are exactly the kinds of ASX 200 shares worth trusting when the best move is simply to stay invested and let time do its work.
