--- title: "Investing for the long term: 'Future Quality' companies | GoalsGetter" description: This paper draws on academic evidence to outline the three fundamental concepts which underpin our definition of ‘Future Quality’ investments. image: https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/hubfs/iStock-955948614%20(1)-1.jpg --- [![Goals Getter Logo](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/goals-getter-new.png?width=222&height=44&name=goals-getter-new.png "Goals Getter Logo")](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz) [My account ](https://app.goalsgetter.co.nz/#/dashboard) [My account ](https://app.goalsgetter.co.nz/#/dashboard) [![002265 GoalsGetter Amovo Logo Stacked White](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/hubfs/002265%20GoalsGetter%20Amovo%20Logo%20Stacked%20White.svg "002265 GoalsGetter Amovo Logo Stacked White")](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz) [ Info Centre ](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/info-centre) ![young family investing for the long term](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-955948614%20(1).jpg?width=754&name=iStock-955948614%20(1).jpg) [Will Low Global Equity Investment Director](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/info-centre/author/will-low-global-equity-investment-director) 12 Mar 2021 [ Share ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/info-centre/investing-for-the-long-term-future-quality-companies&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) # Investing for the long term: 'Future Quality' companies **The Nikko Asset Management Global Equity team philosophy is based on the belief that investing in ‘Future Quality’ companies will lead to outperformance over the long term. This paper draws on academic evidence to outline the three fundamental concepts which underpin our definition of ‘Future Quality’ investments.**   Firstly, we look at value creation models within firms. We assess the level of excess cash return on invested capital earned by firms and the sustainability of those returns into the future by looking at the importance of a firm’s competitive advantage period. Secondly, we analyse past stock market returns to highlight that it is not merely the level of excess cash return on invested capital earned by a company that drives shareholder returns. Rather, the market rewards companies that can allocate capital to improve cash returns on investment and maintain their competitive advantage. Finally, we assess the role of growth and its impact on shareholder returns for businesses with high, medium and low cash return on invested capital structures. Drawing on this academic research, we explain in detail what we mean by ‘Future Quality’ and why we believe it leads to long-term outperformance. If an investor can anticipate a meaningful positive change in excess return (cash return on invested capital less cost of capital), identify firms that have a longer competitive advantage period than the market anticipates and can reinvest those excess returns into the business (growth), they should generate shareholder returns above the market. These are the characteristics of a ‘Future Quality’ company. **Download the full white paper [here](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/7291778/Nikko%20NZ_Folder/Whitepapers/Future%20Quality%20White%20Paper%20-%20Standard%20Template%20v3.pdf).** ![The GoalsGetter Guide to Managed Funds](https://www.goalsgetter.co.nz/hubfs/Images/CTAs/Sprint%201%20CTA%20eBook/gg_sprint_1_ebook_2_bubble.png) ### The GoalsGetter Guide to Managed Funds Get our free guide to help you understand the basics of investing in Managed Funds. [![Get the guide now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/8746787/4f70c6cf-9706-416c-b7e8-7596f81aeeb6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8746787/4f70c6cf-9706-416c-b7e8-7596f81aeeb6) ## Get in the know with investing #### Read the latest articles from our Info Centre and stay in the know with our monthly updates. 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