1Denoting companies or their shares considered to be a reliable investment, though less secure than gilt-edged stock.
‘Many investors look for reliable blue-chip companies with predictable, regular revenues - safe havens, if you like.’
‘Shares in big, blue-chip companies are easy to buy and sell because there are billions of shares in circulation, plus a lively market of buyers and sellers.’
‘Four traditional blue-chip companies update their investors next week.’
‘Wong said that indicated liquidity is still abundant, but investors did not have confidence in high-tech stocks and blue-chip shares following their previous rallies.’
‘Before long, marketers even at blue-chip companies were using the book as a manual for their ‘buzz marketing’ efforts.’
‘Rather than identifying individual blue-chip companies, Aunt Agatha is probably better off investing in the ultimate blue chip - the market itself!’
‘By investing in an index tracker, you can beat the pants off the vast majority of managed funds, simply by investing in the UK's biggest blue-chip companies.’
‘Our contract niche is very much along the lines of blue-chip companies who want to produce nice magazines and newsletters.’
‘To be sure, no hedge fund attacks on blue-chip companies have come to light, and some say there's little to fear from shareholders seeking to exercise their rights.’
‘One of the things about American industry that's pretty cool is that almost all the blue-chip companies have cleaned up their balance sheets.’
‘Two-thirds of directors of blue-chip companies are in final-salary schemes, where pensions are based on years of service and annual salary at retirement.’
‘Also, if you're looking for blue-chip companies with attractive dividends and decent growth prospects, here are six cheap shares for 2004.’
‘It blamed the closure on the downturn in the technology sector and the postponement of several projects with large blue-chip companies.’
‘It is understood to have sealed a significant deal with a blue-chip company and has customers in Europe, Asia and the US.’
‘Discussions are taking place with a number of large blue-chip companies, although Hanna would not be drawn on names.’
‘There are two types: investment-grade bonds are issued by blue-chip companies and are therefore considered relatively secure.’
‘But the bulk of her investment income still derives from the relative safety of blue-chip companies.’
‘The couple travel as guests of blue-chip companies and make public appearances on their behalf.’
‘The golden rule is to stick to blue-chip businesses with solid reputations, because trust and integrity are everything in a deal that requires payment far in advance of receipt.’
‘It goes without saying that investing in ‘fledgling’ firms is far riskier than buying into blue-chip businesses.’
1.1Of the highest quality.
‘blue-chip art’
‘In the present exhibition the seven participating artists are young and on the threshold of their careers hoping to make works that in time would translate into blue-chip art.’
‘The world's richest collectors are still prepared to pay almost any price for exceptional, blue-chip modern art - especially when it comes fresh to the market and with an impeccable provenance.’
‘No doubt he hopes to fire up the collecting ambitions of his sometimes troubled museum, which must compete for blue-chip art with many other powerful institutions.’
‘The Parchman Stremmel Galleries round out the commercial gallery scene with imported blue-chip art and local talent.’
‘Since much of the blue-chip art on show will vanish into private collections, it may be your only chance to see some great works.’
Origen
Late 19th century (in sense ‘played with blue chips’): from the blue chip used in gambling games, which usually has a high value.
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