The biggest companies on the stock exchange are often seen as the safest. In the event of a recession, blue chips are most likely to survive and be able to rebuild afterwards.
The following three large businesses could provide the safety that you're looking for in your portfolio:
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
Macquarie is Australia's fifth-largest financial business with a market capitalisation of $29.9 billion.
It has a diverse array of revenue sources these days from across the globe. Not only does it have a large loan book, but it has a large asset management business and is also involved in capital markets in North America, Asia and Europe.
Macquarie likes to call its newer mix of businesses 'annuity style businesses', meaning they are lower risk and provide stable earnings.
I think it could be the best of the big five Australian finance companies to own over the next few years. It's currently trading at 14x FY17's estimated earnings with a partially franked dividend yield of 4.9%.
Sonic Healthcare Limited (ASX: SHL)
Sonic is a pathology business and is one of the most globally diverse companies on the ASX with operations in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and the USA. It has a market capitalisation of $9 billion which could steadily grow over the coming years.
People are generally willing to pay whatever it takes to remain healthy and detecting issues is part of the process. I expect Sonic could keep growing its profit and dividend for many years to come.
Sonic is trading at 19.6x FY17's estimated earnings with a partially franked dividend yield of 3.49%.
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE)
Treasury Wine is the biggest wine-only listed business in the world with a market capitalisation of $8.8 billion.
It has a growing stable of popular wine brands such as Penfolds and Yellowgen. It's quickly expanding its sales in areas like Asia, which could boost profit for many years to come.
Treasury Wine is trading at 30.6x FY17's estimated earnings with an unfranked dividend yield of 2.09%.
Foolish takeaway
I think all three of these companies have great prospects over the coming years, particularly Treasury Wines. They are all focusing on good international areas which could boost profit for years to come.
