ASX blue-chip shares can be one of the smartest ways to build long-term wealth without trying to predict tomorrow’s biggest winner

I’d focus on owning exceptional businesses with strong competitive advantages, proven management teams, and industries that should continue growing regardless of short-term market swings.

With that in mind, these are the three ASX blue-chip shares I’d be comfortable buying today and holding for the next decade.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

Every long-term portfolio deserves exposure to a world-class healthcare company, and CSL remains one of Australia’s best.

The ASX blue-chip share has endured a difficult period following earnings downgrades and acquisition-related concerns, but I see those as execution challenges rather than structural problems.

The biotechnology giant is the world’s second-largest producer of plasma-derived therapies, operating in an industry protected by enormous barriers to entry. Building a global plasma collection network takes decades, billions of dollars, and extensive regulatory approvals, making it incredibly difficult for competitors to catch up.

The long-term investment case remains compelling. Demand for plasma therapies continues to grow, supported by ageing populations, expanding healthcare access, and increasing diagnosis rates for immune disorders.

After its significant share price decline, CSL also trades at a far more reasonable valuation than investors have become accustomed to over the past decade.

For patient investors, this looks like a rare opportunity to buy one of the ASX’s highest-quality businesses at a meaningful discount to its former highs.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

REA Group has quietly become one of Australia’s greatest business success stories.

While many investors think of it as a property company, it’s really a technology platform with extraordinary pricing power and one of the strongest network effects on the ASX.

Real estate agents need to advertise where buyers are looking, while buyers naturally gravitate to the largest property marketplace. That creates a virtuous circle that’s incredibly difficult for competitors to break.

The $19 billion ASX blue-chip share also generates exceptional profit margins and strong free cash flow thanks to its asset-light business model.

Importantly, REA doesn’t need Australia’s property prices to rise forever. Whether people are buying, selling, renting, or simply researching homes, the platform continues attracting millions of users every month.

The company also has additional growth opportunities through mortgages, financial services, and property data, giving it multiple avenues to expand beyond traditional listings.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie is unlike any other financial institution on the ASX.

Often called the “millionaires’ factory”, the company has spent decades building a global investment banking and asset management business with operations spanning infrastructure, renewable energy, commodities, and specialist financial services.

One of Macquarie’s greatest strengths is its ability to adapt. Over the years, the ASX blue-chip share has successfully reinvented its business model several times as markets evolved, allowing it to continue generating attractive returns through very different economic environments.

The company’s global footprint also reduces its reliance on the Australian economy, while its growing infrastructure and renewable energy businesses position it to benefit from long-term structural trends.

Macquarie’s earnings will always fluctuate with market conditions, but its culture of disciplined risk management and capital allocation has consistently created long-term shareholder value.

The post The only 3 ASX blue-chip shares I’d buy and hold until 2036 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) share price is in focus today after the miner achieved its FY26 production guidance for a sixth straight year, producing 192,182 ounces of gold and reporting a strong free cash flow of A$138.3 million for the June 2026 quarter.

What did Ramelius Resources report?

• Gold production: 192,182 ounces for FY26, within guidance (185,000–205,000 ounces), up 40% quarter-on-quarter to 53,466 ounces in June quarter
• Underlying free cash flow of A$138.3 million (including growth capital and exploration)
• Cash and gold balance: A$649.6 million at 30 June 2026
• Interim fully franked dividend: $0.03 per share (A$57.3 million) paid in April 2026
• Share buybacks: A$30.5 million in the quarter, total A$140.7 million (56% of announced $250 million program)
• All-In-Sustaining-Cost (AISC) to be finalised in the full quarterly report

What else do investors need to know?

During the quarter, Ramelius executed the sale of its Edna May hub to Forrestania Resources for a revised consideration of A$210 million in cash and A$90 million in FRS shares, with completion targeted for the September 2026 quarter. Upon completion, Ramelius will become a 9.6% shareholder in FRS, continuing to benefit from regional gold expansion.

Operationally, key project developments included the ongoing ramp-up at Never Never and Dalgaranga, advances on the Mt Magnet processing plants and camp expansions, and progress on the hybrid power project. Exploration activities are on track, with a further update due later in July.

What’s next for Ramelius Resources?

Looking ahead, Ramelius expects to finalise and report full financials, including AISC, in its upcoming quarterly report. Key capital projects—including Stage 1 and 2 expansions at Mt Magnet and camp upgrades—are progressing to plan with further milestones slated for the September 2026 quarter.

The company remains focused on disciplined growth, maintaining strong shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks, and value creation through exploration and strategic investments. The imminent completion of the Edna May hub sale will provide additional capital and ongoing exposure to the region’s potential via its FRS shareholding.

Ramelius Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Ramelius shares have risen 21%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Ramelius Resources achieves FY26 guidance, grows cash flow and completes Edna May sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 summary of the company announcement. 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.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) are two of the most recognisable ASX shares, and I think they remain interesting for very different reasons.

One is connected to the materials required to build the next stage of the global economy. The other sits at the centre of how Australians save, borrow, and manage money.

Both businesses have already achieved enormous scale. The reason I would still consider buying them is that I think their advantages can continue evolving.

BHP shares

The investment case for BHP is often discussed through commodity prices, but I think the more interesting question is what role the company can play over the next decade.

BHP owns some of the world’s largest resource assets, but scale alone is not what attracts me. What I like is the company’s ability to invest in areas where long-term demand could become increasingly important.

Copper is the obvious example. The global economy is becoming more dependent on electricity, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and new technologies. All of those trends require significant amounts of copper.

I think BHP’s opportunity is that it already has exposure to a commodity with a potentially important role in the future.

The company is also exploring growth through Jansen potash, which gives investors exposure to a different long-term theme. Food production and agricultural productivity are areas with their own structural demand drivers.

The recent challenges at Jansen have been disappointing, and investors are right to pay attention to capital discipline. Large projects need to generate attractive returns.

However, I think BHP’s size gives it options that many resource companies simply do not have. It can manage cycles, invest through uncertainty, and continue looking for opportunities that strengthen its long-term position.

That is why I would buy BHP shares in July.

CBA shares

CBA is a business I think investors sometimes underestimate because banking can appear simple from the outside.

A bank takes deposits, provides loans, and earns the difference. But the strongest banks are built around something deeper: customer relationships, trust, technology, and data.

That is where I think CBA stands out. The company has spent years building one of Australia’s strongest financial ecosystems. Its digital platform, customer base, and brand recognition create advantages that are difficult for competitors to replicate quickly.

I also think CBA’s scale gives it flexibility.

Technology investment is becoming increasingly important in banking. Fraud prevention, customer service, payments, and lending decisions are all becoming more digital. Large banks with significant resources can continue investing in these areas.

The valuation is always part of the discussion with CBA. Investors know it is a high-quality business, and that recognition is reflected in the share price.

But I think quality businesses often deserve a premium when they can consistently defend their position.

For long-term investors, I like the combination of a strong franchise, reliable earnings, and the ability to keep adapting as financial services change.

That is why I would buy CBA shares in July.

Foolish takeaway

I think BHP and CBA appeal for the same underlying reason: both have built positions that are difficult to recreate.

Their industries are different, but both companies have spent decades developing assets, relationships, and capabilities that can continue creating value.

I would expect periods where sentiment changes around both businesses. Commodity cycles move, banking conditions shift, and investors constantly reassess valuations.

But when I look beyond the next headline, I see two companies with the scale and resources to keep finding ways to remain relevant.

The post Why I’d buy BHP and CBA shares in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• July is historically one of the best months for ASX shares. Can July FY27 deliver?
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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia. 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.