When I think about buying shares to hold all the way through to 2036, I'm looking for businesses that have the resilience, competitive advantages, and growth runways to still be thriving a decade from now.
For me, that means focusing on ASX 200 shares with durable earnings, strong balance sheets, and clear long-term tailwinds. The kind of businesses I would feel comfortable owning through economic cycles, market volatility, and the inevitable headlines that test investors' patience.
With that in mind, here are five ASX 200 shares I would be happy to buy and hold until 2036.
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Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)
Pro Medicus is one of the highest-quality businesses on the ASX in my view.
It operates in a niche that really matters. Medical imaging software isn't discretionary, switching costs are high, and once Pro Medicus lands a customer, it tends to stay embedded for years. That gives the business excellent visibility and pricing power.
What I also like is the growth runway. Pro Medicus still has relatively low penetration in a very large global addressable market, particularly in the US. Add in expansion into other ologies, strong margins, a debt-free balance sheet, and a history of disciplined execution, and I see a business that can continue compounding over a long period of time.
It's not cheap on traditional metrics, but quality businesses rarely are.
Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)
Hub24 is an ASX 200 share I keep coming back to because the fundamentals just keep reinforcing the story.
Net inflows remain strong, advisers continue to choose the platform, and revenue visibility is excellent. What I find reassuring is that growth here isn't being forced. It's coming from advisers actively opting into the platform because it works.
For me, Hub24 still feels like a business in the early stages of a long compounding journey, supported by recurring revenue and operating leverage.
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
BHP is a name I'm very comfortable owning, even with the miner's share price near highs.
The appeal for me is its mix of scale, cash generation, and commodity exposure. Copper in particular stands out as a long-term driver, given its role in electrification, renewable energy, and data infrastructure.
I'm not expecting dramatic upside in the short term. What I like is reliability, income, and exposure to structural demand trends. BHP delivers that consistently.
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)
Zip remains one of the more misunderstood shares on the ASX 200, in my opinion.
The buy now, pay later company has spent the past few years doing the unglamorous work of tightening credit, exiting weaker markets, and simplifying the business. It's no longer about survival. It's about execution and consistency.
What stands out to me is that the share price still reflects a lot of past fear, while the business itself looks far more stable than it once did. If Zip simply keeps delivering steady outcomes, I think the upside could surprise.
ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)
ResMed is the kind of healthcare business I like owning long term.
Demand for sleep and respiratory care continues to grow globally, the company keeps delivering solid revenue and earnings growth, and margins remain strong. It's not flashy, but it's dependable and scalable.
For a global healthcare leader with entrenched market positions, I'm comfortable owning ResMed and adding over time.
Foolish takeaway
I'm aiming to own ASX 200 shares I believe will still be relevant, profitable, and growing years from now.
Pro Medicus, Hub24, BHP, Zip, and ResMed each offer something different, but all five fit the kind of long-term, high-quality exposure I want in a portfolio. They're names I'd be happy to back with patience.
