One of the best shares investors could have bought 10 years ago would have been TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM).
A $25,000 investment in the telco company's shares a decade ago would now be worth a huge $304,000 thanks to its average annual shareholder return of 28.4%.
In my opinion this goes some way to demonstrating how successful buy and hold investing can be, especially if investors can find future blue-chip shares early on.
With that in mind I have picked out three small-cap shares which I believe have the potential to one day become blue-chip shares. Here they are:
Medical Developments International Ltd (ASX: MVP)
This fast-growing healthcare company is the name behind the Penthrox pain management product. Better known as the green whistle, the product has been used by surf lifesavers and ambulance paramedics for many years now. But in the last 12 months its use has expanded significantly beyond Australia to a number of countries worldwide. So far this year the product has rolled out across 34 hospitals in the United Kingdom and launched in France and Belgium. I think it has enormous potential and could one day turn MDI into a force in the industry.
Mayne Pharma Group Ltd (ASX: MYX)
Another company which I believe has enormous potential is Mayne Pharma. This is thanks largely to the acquisition of a lucrative portfolio of generic drugs last year from Allergan and Teva Pharmaceutical. Although its share price has fallen heavily in the last six months on concerns over price-fixing allegations and the impact the Trump administration will have on the industry, I believe at the current share price it provides investors with a compelling risk/reward. Director Bruce Mathieson must think so too, as he recently bought $1.2 million worth of shares.
Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB)
This online travel agent is certainly delivering the goods at the moment. In February Webjet's numerous brands once again posted industry-beating bookings growth, helping the company deliver an incredible 86.9% increase in half-year net profit after tax. As more and more consumers switch to booking online from traditional bricks-and-mortar travel agents, I believe Webjet is positioned perfectly to increase its market-share. Because of this I feel Webjet is one of the better buy and hold investment options on the market right now.
