3 blue-chip ASX shares I think you could tuck away for decades

Tim Montague-Jones

Head of Australian Equity Research

Tim Montague-Jones has over 20 years of investment management experience working in the financial markets. Previous experience includes a ten year stint at Morningstar as a Senior Equity Analyst/Portfolio Manager, founding the Morningstar Growth Portfolio and a founding member of their Investment Committee. Tim was also a Senior Equity Analyst for Macquarie Group and a member of the winning team to obtain the 2016 LONSEC Fund Manager of the Year award.

On the ASX, blue-chip shares are often seenas the cornerstones of a long-term investment portfolio. But while manyinvestors search for safety in size, not every large-cap stock is createdequal.

The real trick is identifying companieswith enduring competitive advantages — ones that can keep growingthrough cycles, reward shareholders with dividends, and adapt to a changingworld.

As the proverb goes:

“A calm sea never made a skilledsailor.”

In investing, it’s the companies that staysteady through the storms — recessions, rate hikes, political shifts — thatprove their worth over time.

Here are three ASX blue-chip shares that Ibelieve are strong enough to hold for decades.

3 blue-chip ASX shares I think you could tuck away for decades

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is arguably one of the ASX’s mostimpressive long-term growth stories. Born out of a government entity, it hastransformed into a global biotech giant that supplies life-saving plasmatherapies, vaccines, and specialty medicines to over 100 countries.

Despite facing margin pressure and FXheadwinds over the past year, CSL has continued to invest heavily in itspipeline and global plasma network — planting the seeds for future growth.

Its acquisition of Vifor Pharma in 2022expanded its reach into iron deficiency and kidney-related treatments, openingup new multi-billion-dollar markets.

The company’s long-term track record isnothing short of exceptional: revenue has grown more than tenfold over the pasttwo decades, and it has maintained a strong balance sheet with robust cashflows.

In my view, CSL’s global diversification,pricing power, and mission-critical treatments make it a stock you couldconfidently own for the long haul.

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ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

Among the major banks, ANZ may not get thesame spotlight as CBA, but it’s still a vital player in Australia’s financialsystem — and a top dividend payer on the ASX.

Its conservative approach to lending, solidcapital buffers, and strong institutional banking division give it theresilience that income investors often seek in a blue-chip.

The bank’s recent acquisition of SuncorpBank (pending final regulatory hurdles) could boost its retail bankingfootprint in Queensland and enhance its competitive position across keymarkets.

While the broader banking sector faceschallenges from slowing credit growth and increasing competition, ANZ iswell-capitalised and remains committed to returning excess capital toshareholders through dividends and buybacks.

If you’re looking for a blue-chip financialstock that provides reliable income and exposure to the Australian economy, ANZis hard to ignore.

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Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Last but not least is Aristocrat Leisure —a gaming technology powerhouse with a unique blend of defensive earnings andhigh growth potential.

While it started as a poker machinemanufacturer, Aristocrat now generates a significant portion of its revenuefrom digital gaming through its Pixel United business, which ownssuccessful mobile games like Raid: Shadow Legends.

This diversification gives it exposure toboth physical gaming and the booming online gaming industry — a rarecombination on the ASX.

What I like about Aristocrat is itsrecurring revenue model, strong intellectual property, and global scale. Itinvests heavily in game development and technology to stay ahead of trends, andits balance sheet is pristine — with more than $2 billion in liquidityavailable as of early 2025.

Even during tough economic conditions, peoplestill seek entertainment — which helps underpin demand for Aristocrat’sproducts.

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Final thoughts

These three ASX blue-chip stocks — CSL,ANZ, and Aristocrat — aren’t just big by market cap. They’re businesses withdeep moats, strong cash flows, and global relevance.

They’ve also demonstrated the ability togrow through adversity, which is exactly what you want in the foundations of along-term portfolio.

They might not deliver fireworks every quarter,but if you’re after solid, reliable wealth-builders, these are three you couldcomfortably tuck away and forget for decades.

May 30, 2025