A 20-year investment horizon changes the way I look at ASX 200 shares.
I am less interested in what a company might do next quarter and more interested in whether it can still be relevant, useful, and growing many years from now.
That does not mean ignoring valuation or risk. But it does mean looking for businesses with long runways and strong positions in markets that should keep expanding.
Three ASX 200 shares I would consider buying for the next 20 years are named in this article.
ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)
ResMed is one ASX 200 share I think could still be a high-quality business two decades from now.
The company is a global sleep health leader, with devices, masks, accessories, and software used to treat sleep apnoea and other breathing-related conditions.
What I like is the ongoing nature of the need. Sleep apnoea is not a short-term trend. Many people remain undiagnosed, and awareness of the condition can still grow. As healthcare systems put more focus on prevention, chronic disease, heart health, and quality of life, sleep health could become even more important.
ResMed also has a useful business model. Devices are important, but masks, accessories, connected care, and software can keep customers engaged over time.
Competition and pricing pressure remain risks, but I think ResMed has the brand, scale, and market position to keep growing for many years.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
Goodman Group is another ASX 200 share I would consider for a long holding period.
The business has already evolved from a traditional industrial property company into a global owner, developer, and manager of scarce logistics and data centre sites.
I like Goodman because it is exposed to two major long-term shifts. The first is the need for efficient logistics space close to major cities and transport routes. The second is the growing demand for data centre infrastructure, driven by cloud computing, digital services, and artificial intelligence.
Goodman's advantage is not just owning property. It has development skill, customer relationships, capital partners, and access to locations that can be difficult to replicate.
The share price can be sensitive to interest rates and expectations around data centres. But over 20 years, I think high-quality infrastructure in the right places could become even more valuable.
Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)
Sigma Healthcare has become a very attractive long-term idea since merging with Chemist Warehouse.
The combined business gives investors exposure to pharmacy retail, healthcare distribution, wellness products, and repeat-purchase health needs.
I like this because healthcare retail can have a different demand profile from many discretionary categories. Consumers may pull back on plenty of things, but medicines, health products, prescriptions, and pharmacy services remain important.
Chemist Warehouse also gives Sigma a powerful brand, scale, and a large customer base.
The opportunity over the next 20 years is not just about selling more products. It is about using scale, distribution, data, store networks, and brand strength to build a larger healthcare retail platform.
Another positive is the recent expansion into the UK market. This could be a key driver of growth over the next two decades if it executes successfully.
Foolish takeaway
When I think about investing for 20 years, I want businesses that can keep finding new ways to grow.
That does not mean every year will be smooth. It means the long-term need behind the business remains strong.
Sleep health, digital infrastructure, logistics, pharmacy, and everyday healthcare are not areas I expect to disappear. That is why I think these three ASX 200 shares could be worth buying with a genuinely long-term mindset.
The post I'd buy these ASX 200 shares if I wanted to invest for the next 20 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 2026