They are the market’s biggest and brightest equities — the companies investors hold in the highest regard. Blue chips have usually demonstrated the following traits over many years:

• Financial strength: Low or modest debt, a strong credit rating, and plenty of cash
• Attractive business model and economics: Defensible market position and generates good cash flow
• Respected management team: Long-tenured executives with vital track records
• Long-term growth: Strong historical profit growth and expected to continue growing earnings in the future
• Strong performance: Share price has risen steadily over the long term and has exhibited reasonably low volatility
• Significant market capitalisation: Typically has a market cap among the largest in its industry, if not the largest.