Cyclical Stock Definition

A cyclical stock is a type of equity security whose price is affected by macroeconomic, systematic changes in the overall economy. Cyclical stocks are known for following the cycles of an economy through expansion, peak, recession, and recovery.

Cyclical stocks typically refer to companies that sell discretionary items consumers can afford to buy more of in a booming economy. Alternatively, cyclical stocks are also companies that consumers choose to spend less with and cut back on during a recession. Defensive stocks are generally the opposite of cyclical stocks. They encompass the consumer staples category, with goods and services that people continue to demand through all types of business cycles, even economic downturns.

Cyclical stocks rise and fall with the economic cycle. This seeming predictability in the movement of these stocks’ prices leads some investors to attempt to time the market. They buy the shares at a low point in the business cycle and sell them at a high point. Examples of companies whose stocks are cyclical include car manufacturers, airlines, furniture retailers, clothing stores, hotels, and restaurants. When the economy is doing well, people can afford to buy new cars, upgrade their homes, shop, and travel. When the economy is doing poorly, these discretionary expenses are some of the first things consumers cut. If a recession is severe enough, cyclical stocks can become completely worthless, and companies may go out of business.

• Cyclical stocks are affected by macroeconomic changes with returns that follow the cycles of an economy.
• Cyclical stocks are generally the opposite of defensive stocks. Cyclical stocks include discretionary companies while defensive stocks include staples.
• Cyclical stocks usually have higher volatility and are expected to produce higher returns during periods of economic strength.

Cyclical stocks are viewed as more volatile than noncyclical or defensive stocks, which tend to be more stable during periods of economic weakness. However, they offer greater potential for growth because they tend to outperform the market during periods of economic strength. Investors seeking long-term growth with managed volatility tend to balance their portfolios with a mix of cyclical stocks and defensive stocks.

Frequently, investors choose to use exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to gain exposure to cyclical stocks while expanding economic cycles. The SPDR ETF series offers one of the most popular cyclical ETF investments in the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector Fund (XLY).

Cyclical stocks are often further delineated by durables, nondurables, and services.

Durable goods companies are involved in the manufacture or distribution of physical goods that have an expected life span of more than three years. Companies that operate in this segment include automakers such as Ford Motor Company, appliance manufacturers such as Whirlpool Corporation, and furniture makers such as Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. The measure of durable goods orders is an indicator of future economic performance. When durable goods orders are up in a particular month, it may be an indication of stronger economic activity in the ensuing months.

Nondurable goods companies produce or distribute soft goods that have an expected life span of fewer than three years. Examples of companies operating in this segment are sports apparel manufacturer Nike Inc. and retail stores such as Nordstrom Inc. and Target Inc.

Services is a separate category of cyclical stocks because these companies do not manufacture or distribute physical goods. Instead, they provide services that facilitate travel, entertainment, and other leisure activities for consumers. Walt Disney Company (DIS) is one of the best-known companies operating in this space, but it is joined by many companies operating in the new digital area of streaming media, such as Netflix Inc. and Time Warner Inc.