Trying to beat the market is not about taking wild bets or chasing whatever is popular at the time.
More often, it comes down to backing ASX 200 shares that can grow earnings faster than the broader index and reinvest effectively over long periods.
If you have $5,000 to invest, concentrating it into a group of high-quality businesses can give you a better chance of outperforming than spreading it too thinly.
With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares I would consider if I were trying to beat the market over the long term.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
The first ASX 200 share that could be a market-beater is Goodman Group.
Rather than relying on consumer demand, Goodman sits behind global trade, logistics, and digital infrastructure. Its portfolio of industrial properties and development sites is increasingly geared toward high-demand areas such as data centres and modern logistics facilities.
What sets Goodman apart is its development capability and capital recycling model. By developing, partnering, and reinvesting at scale, the company has been able to grow earnings and funds under management consistently over time. For long-term investors, Goodman provides exposure to structural trends that extend well beyond the Australian economy.
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)
Another ASX 200 share that I think could outperform is REA Group. It is a textbook example of how digital platforms can outperform the market over time.
Its property marketplaces sit at the centre of Australia's real estate ecosystem, benefiting from powerful network effects that are difficult for competitors to replicate. As agents and consumers continue to rely on its platforms, the realestate.com.au owner is able to layer on new products and pricing initiatives without needing property volumes to surge.
This combination of dominance and scalability gives REA the potential to compound earnings faster than the broader ASX 200.
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)
Finally, WiseTech Global adds a higher-growth, technology-driven element to the portfolio.
The ASX 200 share's software platform is deeply embedded in global freight forwarding and logistics operations. As supply chains become more complex and data-driven, WiseTech's solutions become increasingly critical to customers, supporting strong retention and recurring revenue.
While its share price can be and has been volatile, WiseTech's long-term opportunity lies in continued global expansion and deeper penetration of its existing customer base. That growth profile gives it the potential to outperform the market over time for investors willing to look beyond short-term fluctuations.
