10 years is a long time in the share market.

If I were buying S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares with that timeframe in mind, I would want businesses with opportunities that can keep expanding.

With that in mind, these three ASX 200 shares stand out to me.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

I think Sigma Healthcare looks very different today following last year’s merger with Chemist Warehouse.

The combined business now brings together a major pharmacy retail network and Sigma’s pharmaceutical wholesale operations, creating scale across several parts of the healthcare supply chain.

FY26 gave investors an early look at that potential. Revenue reached $10.8 billion, while normalised EBIT increased by more than 20%. Sigma is also working towards $100 million of annual integration synergies by FY29.

But I think the 10-year opportunity goes far beyond extracting merger savings.

Chemist Warehouse still has room to expand its store network and international presence, while Sigma can use its scale across distribution, retail pharmacy, and own-brand products to keep growing alongside it.

If management executes well, I think this ASX 200 share could be significantly larger a decade from now.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

Breville is an ASX 200 share that I think has done an excellent job of turning a local brand into a global one.

Its premium coffee machines remain an important growth engine, but what interests me over 10 years is the model behind them.

Breville continually invests in new products, marketing, and new geographic markets, giving it several ways to keep growing without relying on consumers simply buying more of the same appliances.

FY26 revenue reached a record $1.81 billion, and remarkably, the company has now increased revenue, gross profit, and EBIT in every financial year since FY15.

Newer markets also provide another avenue for expansion. Breville has been building its presence in markets including China and the Middle East while continuing to develop its established businesses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

I think that global runway could keep the business growing well beyond the next few years.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport is the higher-growth pick of the three ASX 200 shares.

It has traditionally helped businesses connect data centres and cloud providers through its global software-defined network. More recently, its acquisition of Latitude.sh has expanded that opportunity into AI infrastructure.

Latitude.sh provides GPU and CPU computing power, storage, and networking for AI workloads, and the early demand has been strong. 

Megaport has already announced a series of very large strategic contracts through the business, giving it a much bigger growth avenue than connectivity alone.

For me, that is what makes the 10-year story so compelling. 

If Megaport can keep building both sides of the business, it could become a much larger digital infrastructure company by 2036.

Foolish takeaway

I cannot know what the market will look like in 2036.

I would rather spend a 10-year holding period backing ASX 200 shares that still have ways to expand. Sigma, Breville, and Megaport all give me that potential, but through three completely different parts of the economy.

That is enough for me to be comfortable buying them and giving the businesses plenty of time to grow.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Zip vs Megaport: Which ASX tech share is the better buy?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Bell Potter just put a buy rating on Megaport shares with 33% upside
• Which were the best-performing ASX 200 shares in September?

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 Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares: Which blue chip is the better buy?

When it comes to ASX blue chips, Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) are two household names that regularly appear on investor watchlists. Both deliver fully-franked dividends, boast huge market caps, and are pillars of the local stock market—yet they couldn’t be more different in what they do or how they’ve performed recently. With volatility hitting miners and banks alike, here’s my take on Fortescue vs National Australia Bank shares today.

The case for Fortescue

Fortescue is a mining powerhouse, best known for its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company operates major mining hubs and some of the most efficient rail and port infrastructure in the game. According to its most recent public description, Fortescue is now ranked as the world’s fourth largest iron ore producer, which gives it serious scale and bargaining power.

Three fundamentals really stand out to me for Fortescue shares right now:

• Dividend yield: It boasts a fat 6.64% yield (fully franked), one of the highest among ASX blue chips.
• P/E ratio: At 12.25, Fortescue trades on a much lower price-to-earnings multiple than most large ASX companies.
• YTD performance: Its year-to-date return is a disappointing -21.2%, showing it’s faced real headwinds in 2026 so far.

Fortescue’s dividends have been consistently fully franked, and the company has a history of paying out special dividends when iron ore prices have been strong. However, as a miner, its fortunes are closely tied to iron ore prices and China’s demand for steel.

The case for National Australia Bank

National Australia Bank is one of the “Big Four” banks, with a huge network across Australia and New Zealand. NAB delivers a broad suite of banking services, from retail and business banking to wealth management and institutional finance. Thanks to its established brand and extensive branch network, NAB is a pillar of the local financial system and a favourite with steady-income investors.

Here are the top points for NAB:

• Dividend reliability: Its current yield is 4.35% (fully franked), not as high as Fortescue but underpinned by a long track record of steady and uninterrupted payouts.
• P/E ratio: NAB trades on a P/E of 19.56, which is meaningfully higher than Fortescue’s but still reasonable for a major bank.
• Market cap: It dwarfs Fortescue with a $122.05 billion market cap, reflecting NAB’s position as one of the largest companies on the ASX.
• YTD performance: NAB shares are only down 5.6% so far in 2026, which is much steadier than what we’ve seen from Fortescue.

NAB’s dividends are fully franked, and the payout has been remarkably consistent over the past decade-plus, weathering economic turbulence and regulatory changes much better than most cyclical stocks.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how these giants stack up on the key numbers:

	Fortescue	National Australia Bank
Market Cap	$50.62 billion	$122.05 billion
P/E Ratio	12.25	19.56
Dividend Yield	6.64% (100% franked)	4.35% (100% franked)
Earnings Per Share (EPS)	0.931	2.000
Dividend Per Share	1.08	1.70
YTD Return	-21.2%	-5.6%

Note: National Australia Bank’s P/E ratio is quite a bit higher than Fortescue’s, but keep in mind that mining and banking are completely different sectors with different typical valuations. Also, Fortescue’s reported P/E and EPS figures suggest a lower implied share price than spot prices, possibly reflecting the difference between underlying or forward earnings and reported EPS.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 30 September 2026:

• Fortescue: Closed at $16.44, up 1.04% on the day but still down 21.2% for the year to date.
• National Australia Bank: Closed at $39.15, up 0.10% on the day and down just 5.6% year to date.

Over the past few weeks, both stocks have seen short bursts of volatility, with Fortescue buffeted by commodity swings and NAB supported by steady, if unspectacular, trading.

Which is the better buy?

If I had to pick one blue chip from these two today, I’d lean toward National Australia Bank. Yes, Fortescue’s dividend yield is higher and its valuation appears cheaper on a P/E basis, but that hefty yield comes at the price of much greater volatility—and its share price shows it, down over 21% for the year so far. NAB, in contrast, offers a steadier ride with fully franked dividends, strong brand strength, and much less price downside over 2026.

Fortescue is attractive if you believe iron ore has further to run or want maximum yield while accepting serious swings along the way. But for my money—and especially for investors focused on stability, income reliability, and blue chip defensiveness—NAB looks the safer bet for the current market environment.

The post Fortescue vs National Australia Bank: Which ASX blue chip is the better buy this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Is the Fortescue share price a cheap buy?
• If I invest $10,000 in ANZ shares, what passive income could I receive in FY27?
• Regis Resources vs Fortescue: Which ASX miner is the better buy?
• Are ASX 200 bank stocks a buy in October?
• If I invest $10,000 in Fortescue shares, how much passive income could I earn in FY27?

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Looking to put $10,000 to work on the ASX this October but not sure where to invest?

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering. They offer an easy way to invest in a collection of stocks without having to pick individual shares.

Here are four ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look this month.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

The iShares S&P 500 ETF could be an excellent option for investors wanting exposure to the US share market.

This fund tracks the famous S&P 500 Index, giving investors access to 500 of America’s largest listed companies.

Its holdings include Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), alongside major businesses operating in healthcare, financial services, consumer goods, and other industries.

Many of these companies generate significant revenue internationally, which means investors are gaining exposure to businesses that operate across the global economy.

With a long investment horizon, this ASX ETF could be well worth considering.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

Another ASX ETF to consider buying in October is the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF.

This fund focuses on Australian stocks that are forecast to provide higher dividend yields than the broader share market.

Its portfolio includes businesses from sectors such as banking, resources, telecommunications, and consumer goods.

This could be particularly attractive for investors looking to generate passive income while retaining exposure to potential capital growth.

Another positive is the fund’s distributions also include some franking credits, which can provide additional benefits to eligible Australian investors.

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE)

The Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF invests in companies across major Asian markets, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, and Singapore.

This gives investors access to businesses operating in technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and consumer markets.

Asia is home to some of the world’s largest economies and most important technology companies. It also has growing consumer markets and a rising middle class that could support economic growth over the long term.

This makes the Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF an option to consider for investors seeking opportunities outside Australia and the United States.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

A final ASX ETF worth considering in October is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This fund invests in stocks involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies.

From manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and agriculture, robotics and intelligent machines have the potential to change how numerous industries operate.

As technology improves and adoption increases, the companies developing these solutions could enjoy significant growth.

This could make the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to a long-term technology theme.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• My top 3 Vanguard ETFs for October
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in October
• VGS vs IVV: Which ETF would I buy with $10,000?
• How much must I invest in IVV ETF shares to earn a $1,000 passive income in 2027?
• Own US ETFs like IVV or NDQ? Here’s why your dividends are so low

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.