Given its struggles over the past couple of years, it has been tempting to sell CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares on numerous occasions.
However, I'm hoping to never sell the biotechnology giant's shares.
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Why I'm never selling CSL shares
The reason I'm never selling CSL shares is simple. I believe the business can compound for decades.
That might sound like a bold claim, especially after a period where the share price has tested investor patience. But when you step back and look at what CSL actually does, how it reinvests, and the markets it operates in, the long-term picture still looks compelling.
A business built around lasting demand
CSL's core strength starts with the nature of its products.
The company develops and manufactures life-saving therapies used to treat chronic and serious medical conditions. These are not discretionary purchases and they are not driven by fashion or economic cycles. Demand is underpinned by medical need, demographics, and improved diagnosis rates.
As global populations age and awareness of rare and chronic conditions increases, the need for plasma-derived therapies and vaccines is likely to grow rather than fade. That kind of demand profile is exactly what long-term compounding businesses are built on.
Relentless reinvestment
Another reason CSL stands out is how aggressively it reinvests.
Every year, the company commits over a billion dollars to research and development, manufacturing capacity, and plasma collection infrastructure. These investments are made with a long horizon in mind.
This approach has allowed CSL to expand its product portfolio, improve manufacturing efficiency, and maintain leadership positions in highly specialised areas of medicine. Over time, that reinvestment has been a key driver of earnings growth, even if the path has never been perfectly smooth.
Management that thinks in decades
Compounding for decades requires more than good products. It requires the right mindset at the top.
CSL's management team has consistently demonstrated a willingness to make long-term decisions, even when they are unpopular in the short term. That includes investing through downturns, expanding capacity ahead of demand, and prioritising scientific capability over near-term profit optimisation.
This culture is not easy to replicate and is one of the reasons CSL has been able to build and defend its global position over such a long period.
M&A opportunities
CSL has also used mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to extend its reach and capabilities.
Not every deal has been a clear win. The acquisition of the Vifor business, for example, has delivered mixed results so far and has added complexity to the group. That said, it also highlights CSL's willingness to pursue opportunities that can broaden its therapeutic footprint.
Over decades, a handful of imperfect acquisitions is not unusual for companies that continue to grow. What matters more is that CSL retains the balance sheet strength and discipline to pursue future opportunities when they make strategic sense.
Foolish takeaway
I'm never selling CSL shares because I don't think the story ends in a year or two.
Between long-lasting demand for its therapies, heavy reinvestment in science and capacity, and a management team focused on building value over decades, CSL has many of the ingredients required for long-term compounding.
