Creating enduring wealth is not a matter of tracking stock symbols, pursuing every headline, or responding to daily price fluctuations.
Rather, it involves owning high-quality businesses that one can confidently purchase and then set aside.
The True Essence of "Buy and Forget"
Adopting this approach certainly does not imply neglecting your investments after purchase.
It fundamentally means choosing companies you can rely on for the long haul.
You maintain these holdings through various market cycles, allowing the power of compounding to operate, rather than reacting to transient market noise.
Compounding is a process that requires years, not weeks or days, to manifest its full effect.
Characteristics of Stocks Fit for Long-Term Holding
Stocks possessing a robust economic moat that safeguards their profits are prime candidates for long-term investment.
An additional positive attribute is a company's focus on creating long-term value instead of chasing short-term profits.
Furthermore, such high-quality selections typically have a track record of steady earnings growth.
DBS Group — The Premier Global Platform
DBS Group became Southeast Asia's largest bank in 1998.
Today, it operates across 19 markets with a strategic emphasis on Greater China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia—a network that is difficult to rival.
For the full fiscal year 2025, DBS posted a record total income of S$22.9 billion.
The bank maintained its momentum into the first quarter of 2026, achieving a new high in total income of nearly S$6 billion.
This was accomplished despite a 5% year-on-year decline in net interest income due to a lower net interest margin.
DBS remains the undisputed leader among Singapore's local banks.
As of May 14, 2026, its market capitalisation of S$171 billion surpasses that of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation at S$103 billion and United Overseas Bank at S$62 billion.
However, there is more to the story.
DBS is not only the largest; it also achieved an annualised return on equity of 17% for Q1 2026, significantly outperforming OCBC's 13% and UOB's 11.5%.
ST Engineering — The Blue-Chip with Growing Dividends
ST Engineering, a global technology and defence leader, is supported by government contracts and long-term aviation maintenance agreements.
The company secured S$18.7 billion in new contracts in 2025, concluding the year with a substantial order book of S$33.2 billion.
The conglomerate continued its pace in 2026, winning an additional S$4.8 billion in new contracts across its segments in the first quarter.
A multi-year order book enables the company to secure future work, providing highly predictable and stable revenue for the coming years.
To enhance total shareholder returns, STE plans to distribute one-third of any year-on-year profit increase as additional dividends.
The group has demonstrated consistent dividend growth over time.
Total dividends for 2025 amounted to S$0.23 per share, marking a 35% increase from 2024's S$0.17 and a 44% rise from 2023's S$0.16.
It is noteworthy that the 2025 dividend included a special component of S$0.05.
Venture Corp — The Leader in Structural Growth
Venture Corp acts as a strategic partner and manufacturer for global leaders in critical sectors like life sciences and advanced networking.
Amid a global drive for improved medical technology and increasing complexity in semiconductor testing, Venture Corp is strategically positioned to capitalise on rising sector demand.
As of March 31, 2026, the company held a net cash position of S$1 billion.
This significant cash reserve persists even after consistent dividend payments and share buybacks, underscoring the company's growth capacity.
Sheng Siong— The Defensive Compound
As a classic all-weather stock, Sheng Siong remains resilient across economic cycles, as daily groceries and household essentials are perpetually in demand.
In fact, during economic downturns, consumers often reduce dining out and increase meals at home.
Where do they go for more affordable groceries?
The answer is Sheng Siong.
The company's financial performance supports this dynamic.
In 2025, revenue increased by nearly 10% year-on-year to S$1.6 billion, while maintaining a gross profit margin of 31.3%.
This momentum carried into Q1 2026, with revenue surging 12.4% year-on-year to S$452.8 million, even as the gross margin dipped slightly to 31%.
Additionally, the supermarket chain holds over S$461.1 million in cash and equivalents with no debt.
Coupled with a consistent gross margin around 30%, Sheng Siong is clearly positioned to offer long-term investors predictable cash flows and stable dividends.
Keppel DC REIT — The Scalable Contender
As of December 31, 2025, Keppel DC REIT owned 25 data centres across Asia-Pacific and Europe, valued at S$6.3 billion.
With a portfolio occupancy rate of 95.8% and a weighted average lease expiry of 6.7 years as of Q1 2026, tenants are committed for the long term.
Furthermore, a rental escalation clause linked to inflation has been implemented to help mitigate costs that could affect returns for unitholders.
With tech giants like Microsoft and Alphabet investing billions in artificial intelligence, global data centre capacity is projected to double by 2030.
Keppel DC REIT has strategically concentrated on stabilised assets in supply-constrained markets, allowing its portfolio to benefit from this supply-demand imbalance.
Established entities like Keppel DC REIT can maintain high occupancy rates and favourable leasing terms.
Why Many Investors Find It Difficult to "Hold for a Decade"
Frequently, when stock prices decline, investors' instinct for loss aversion triggers panic selling.
Investors who are easily swayed by market sentiment often make impulsive decisions that undermine their long-term objectives.
Typically, those who neglect thorough research before investing struggle to maintain their positions.
Without a firm grasp of the underlying business, they lack the conviction needed to hold steady during periods of volatility.
The secret to long-term holding is remarkably straightforward.
Simply shift your attention from daily price movements to the fundamental performance of the business.
Cease constant portfolio monitoring—you only need to review your holdings periodically, perhaps every six months, to ensure your original investment rationale remains valid.
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