S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) blue-chip shares could be a smart choice during this volatile, uncertain period. Stability and strength may be a winning combination over the rest of 2026.
There are some businesses that may well see their earnings increase because of the flow-on effects of the inflation. Even excluding these shorter-term effects, both of the businesses I'm going to talk about have an attractive long-term future, according to experts.
Experts from the fund manager Wilson Asset Management have picked out two leading ASX 200 blue-chip shares worth owning that are in the WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) portfolio, which is a listed investment company (LIC) that targets the "highest quality Australian companies".
Let's take a look at what the experts like about the two businesses and what they're seeing right now.
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Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)
The Woodside share price rose in March as it benefited from the higher oil and LNG prices amid the events in the Middle East and the disruption to the shipping flows in the Strait of Hormuz.
WAM notes that Woodside has no operations in the affected area, leaving it well positioned to benefit from the supply shock.
Last month, the ASX energy share also confirmed the permanent appointment of Liz Westcott as managing director and CEO, who reaffirmed the growth strategy, with a focus on project execution and shareholder value creation.
On top of that, an investor site visit to the Louisiana LNG project affirmed that the development remains "on schedule and on budget", with de-bottlenecking opportunities identified.
The fund manager concluded its thoughts on the ASX 200 blue-chip share:
The company continues to be a key holding in the WAM Leaders investment portfolio with its geographical diversification and pipeline of growth projections positioning the company well in the current environment.
Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD)
The other business that WAM Leaders highlighted is Ampol, which also saw its share price rise during March following higher oil prices and "materially stronger refining margins following the disruption to Middle Eastern oil supply".
Refining economics are, according to WAM, "highly sensitive to margin movement", therefore the near-term refining environment is "expected to improve as global supply tightens and as China restricts diesel and gasoline export contracts from major state refiners".
The fund manager also noted that the Australian Government has lifted the fuel security services payment thresholds, providing greater downside protection for the ASX 200 blue chip's refining business through the cycle.
The ACCC's phase 2 review of Ampol's proposed acquisition of EG Australia's fuel and convenience retail network also progressed, with sites under review narrowing from 115 to 54. A determination is due by 5 June 2026.
