Even ASX 200 blue-chip shares haven't been immune from the 2020 bear market. The coronavirus pandemic has smashed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) 21.95% lower since the start of January.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index is market capitalisation-weighted, so that means the biggest names dominate daily movements. If the index is down, that means some of the biggest names are down.
It's not all doom and gloom for investors right now though. Those with a clear strategy to invest in high-quality shares can still build their financial futures.
As the old Wall Street saying goes, "Bulls make money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered". If you want to stick to your guns and invest in ASX 200 blue-chip shares, here are 3 that I think are in the buy zone right now.
ASX blue-chip shares to buy and hold forever
When times are tough, I like to look right to the top of the tree. I think Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is one of those ASX 200 blue-chip shares to buy and hold forever.
CBA is the largest ASX bank by market capitalisation and weighs in at over $104 billion. The group has a strong history of raising dividends (despite concerns over a dividend cut) and is the bedrock of the Aussie economy.
I think CBA looks cheap at its price of $58.83 per share at the time of writing. For reference, its 52-week low is just $53.44 while its 52-week high from mid-February touched $91.05 per share.
Another ASX 200 blue-chip share to buy and hold is BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). I put BHP in a similar bucket to CBA in terms of being "too big to fail".
Even if mining struggles in the short term, I think it will bounce back strongly. The Federal Government could look to major infrastructure projects to kickstart the economy after the coronavirus pandemic has passed.
That puts BHP in the box seat as a raw materials supplier, and one that has strong dividends and an $87 billion market capitalisation (at the time of writing).
Finally, I like the look of Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS). Telstra is an ASX 200 blue-chip share which has been a staple for 'Mum and Dad' portfolios for decades.
The move to more remote working solutions has increased the strain on network infrastructure in Australia. However, I think it could provide momentum for Telstra's 5G network push in the coming decade.
Foolish takeaway
However you choose to invest, it's important to trust your strategy and stay the course. That may be ASX growth shares or it may be ASX 200 blue-chip shares, but remember why you're investing and what your goals are.
