Ten years gives a strong business plenty of time to grow into something much larger.
For that kind of holding period, I would look for companies with hard-to-recreate positions, capable management, and several ways to increase earnings.
The five S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares below fit that description for me.
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Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
Macquarie often finds its best opportunities when industries are changing, and clients need capital, specialist knowledge, or help managing risk.
Its reach across asset management, infrastructure, banking, commodities, private credit, and corporate transactions gives it several ways to participate.
I like that adaptability. The divisions producing the strongest results will shift as markets change, but Macquarie has repeatedly shown that it can move towards new opportunities.
A change of CEO has created some short-term uncertainty, but I am confident it will be business as usual over the next decade.
ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)
Sleep health leader ResMed can keep growing each time another person receives a diagnosis and begins treatment for sleep apnoea or another breathing disorder.
The relationship can then continue for years through masks, replacement parts, monitoring, and connected software.
I think this gives the ASX 200 share an attractive combination of new-patient growth and recurring demand from its installed base.
Competition and new treatment options will keep the market evolving, although I think its scale, distribution, and experience leave it well placed to remain the industry leader.
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)
REA owns the audience that Australian property advertisers most want to reach.
Buyers, sellers, renters, and homeowners repeatedly visit realestate.com.au because property decisions involve large amounts of money and research. Agents and developers then want their listings placed in front of those users.
That relationship creates a strong competitive advantage. A larger audience attracts more advertisers, while the breadth of listings gives people another reason to return.
REA can also grow beyond advertising through data, seller leads, financial services, and tools for agents. I think the platform will keep finding new ways to earn more from its central role in Australian property.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
Goodman has spent years securing industrial land in major global cities.
That land has become even more valuable when it comes with access to the electricity needed for data centres.
Artificial intelligence and cloud computing require significant physical infrastructure, and suitable sites can take years to assemble, obtain approval, and connect to power. Goodman already controls many of those locations and can develop them alongside large capital partners.
The shares usually trade at a premium, while construction costs and project timing create uncertainty. But I would still buy because the company has assembled capabilities that could remain in heavy demand throughout the next decade.
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)
Xero is moving closer to the daily financial activity of millions of small businesses.
Its platform already helps customers handle accounting, invoices, payroll, tax, reporting, and cash flow. Payments and other financial services could make it even more deeply involved in how money moves through those businesses.
That creates room to grow subscriber numbers and earn more from each customer.
The United States remains a substantial opportunity, particularly as Xero broadens its payments capabilities through Melio. Execution will need to be strong, but I think Xero has a credible path towards becoming a much larger global small-business platform.
Foolish Takeaway
A decade-long investment should have more behind it than a good story.
I would want companies capable of adapting while protecting the advantages they have already built. These five businesses have established global platforms, valuable customer relationships, scarce assets, or audiences that competitors would struggle to recreate.
There will be disappointing results and uncomfortable share price falls along the way. But I think the underlying opportunities are strong enough to make Macquarie, ResMed, REA, Goodman, and Xero shares worth owning through them.
