There aren't too many ASX shares that I'd feel comfortable about buying and committing to owning for two decades.
But there are a few that I think could be solid ultra-long-term picks. They have shown their worth in the coronavirus so far.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)
Soul Patts could be one of the best ASX shares to invest for the long-term in. Only an exchange-traded fund (ETF) may have a better claim.
It has already been listed on the ASX for over a century, so it clearly has great longevity. But I don't think it's on the cusp of irrelevance at all. It's an investment conglomerate so it can change its investment holdings as time goes on. Soul Patts is apparently about to start investing in regional data centres, a big growth area right now. Current large investments include telecommunications, building products and resources.
Of the current shares in the ASX 200, I think Soul Patts could be among the group that will operate for the longest time into the future.
The management team of Soul Patts themselves invest for the long-term within the company. So it has long-term characteristics. It is steadily increasing its dividend, which is another attractive future.
Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)
There are only two things certain in life (as the saying goes). Death and taxes. You can't do a business tax return without tracking your income, expenses, assets and liabilities, then making financial statements. So why wouldn't you want to use the best tools available?
Xero is an ASX share that provides cloud accounting software and it's resonating with clients across the world.
It's no surprise that Xero has a strong market share in New Zealand and Australia as it's a local business with a great service. But it's also growing at an extraordinary rate in the UK and doing well in other areas of the world.
Xero generates attractive monthly cashflow at a very high gross profit margin. At the moment Xero is investing heavily for growth and it's paying off. In two decades (or just one) it could be one of two clear market leader providers in the world.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
Wesfarmers isn't normally an ASX share I'd suggest is one of the best dividend shares, or one of the best growth shares. But I think it's a great blue chip.
It isn't stuck being a bank or a miner. It will happily adjust what operating businesses it owns over time. Remember that it acquired and years later divested Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL). Wesfarmers isn't afraid to make big, bold moves. Even if they don't work out – look what happened to Bunnings UK and Ireland.
The point is that Wesfarmers can acquire businesses to position it for future success. For example, it recently acquired a lithium miner and it also acquired online retailer Catch Group.
Of course, its current businesses are also fantastic. Bunnings may be the best retail businesses in the country.
Foolish takeaway
I think all of these ASX shares would make very good ultra-long-term investments at the current prices. Xero may be able to generate the most growth if it keeps adding subscribers, but I prefer Soul Patts for its diversification.
