No one can predict the future, but acknowledging what products and services we experience everyday affords us an insight into the businesses that will transform it.
Obviously, technology will transform the way humans communicate and interact. Here in Australia, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) is in prime position to tap into our growing reliance on technology and telecommunications.
It has excelled ahead of its peers by offering superior network performance and coverage to all Australians. It has recently expanded into Asia and will benefit from the rising wealth of nations in the region.
Back when the Australian stock exchange was called the Sydney Stock Exchange, or 21 January 1903, Washington H Soul Pattinson (ASX: SOL) listed as a public company. From a humble Sydney pharmacy to a company with a market capitalisation of over $3 billion, Soul Patts is one of the oldest companies on the ASX. It has managed to adapt and invest in stable businesses which have survived the test of time.
With a long-term mindset, investors can take advantage of dividends and companies that consistently grow them. Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) is a toll road operator in Australia and the US. Possibly the biggest long-term threat to Transurban is global warming, but its natural monopoly and solid balance sheets should see it through even the worst market pullbacks.
Just as we rely on roads for transportation, the internet and our communications rely on satellites. Newsat Limited (ASX: NWT) is Australia's only pure play satellite company. It is expected to launch its first craft this year and another next year, which will provide huge possibilities for the company moving forward. It has already signed numerous contracts with governments and big businesses throughout the world.
Lastly, this company is likely the first to come to mind when we talk about the future. Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) is currently expanding its technology offering to position itself in the world market. From Google Maps, Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Search Engines and Android to its proposed Google Glass wearable technology, Google has a massive part to play in our lives and it trades on a price-earnings ratio of only 32!
Foolish takeaway
Identifying key long-term trends is an important quality for successful investors. In addition, the ability to identify businesses which will benefit from those trends is possibly harder but can be extremely lucrative. These five companies have terrific runways ahead of them, but it's important their management have the ability to direct them appropriately. However, their track records speak for themselves and it's likely they'll continue on successfully in the near future and beyond.
