Investing in Cyclical Stocks

A cyclical stock is one whose underlying business is more sensitive to economic trends and cycles. These stocks generally do well during periods of economic expansion, when consumer spending, business investment, and credit activity are strong, and they often lag during downturns.

In 2025, many cyclical sectors such as industrials, materials, and financials have outperformed defensive areas of the market as investors rotated into growth-sensitive stocks on signs of ongoing economic resilience and expectations of rate cuts ahead. For example, U.S. cyclical sectors like industrials and financials have delivered double-digit year-to-date gains, while cyclicals have been a focus for strategists anticipating stronger growth in 2026.

Like other types of stocks, cyclical stocks can have a valuable place in your investment portfolio. They can help you capture upside during periods of economic expansion and sector rotation, as these companies often benefit from rising consumer demand and capital investment. If you’re considering adding cyclical exposure to your portfolio, here’s what you should know going into 2026.

What is a cyclical stock? 

Cyclical stocks tend to move with the overall economy. That is, if the economy expands, cyclical stocks tend to expand with it. Likewise, when the economy contracts, or goes through a recession, cyclical stocks tend to lose their value. 

The reason is that the underlying business of a cyclical stock usually sells products and services that consumers don’t need, but want. Leisure, luxury, travel, entertainment, and retail: these are all cyclical industries that rely heavily on disposable income. When people have money to spend, when the economy is performing well and growing, they typically buy more non-essentials.

The reverse is true, too: as the economy retracts, people are tighter with their budgets, and the companies that sell non-essentials experience a rapid decline in sales and revenue. 

Investors often see cyclical stocks as more volatile than non-cyclicals (also called “defensive” stocks), since they experience significant price movements during periods of economic weakness.

But the volatility of cyclical stocks isn’t always negative: during periods of economic strength, cyclical stocks can outperform the market, bringing investors hefty gains that non-cyclical stocks don’t often achieve. 

What are some examples of cyclical stocks?

Because Canada has a strong selection of bank, financial, and materials stocks, we have a fair number of cyclical companies. To help you get a good grasp of cyclicality, here are three well-known companies that follow economic cycles. 

1. Suncor Energy 

Oil stocks in general can be extremely volatile, and Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) is no exception. In a robust economy, consumers are more inclined to travel and buy gas, whereas in a weaker economy, they’re less likely to travel by car or air. That makes Suncor Energy more cyclical than, say, utility companies, which people almost always need.

2. Air Canada 

Air Canada (TSX:AC) is the largest international airline in Canada, but that doesn’t protect it against cyclicality. Consumers are less inclined to buy airline tickets when their budgets are tighter. Likewise, during strong economic periods, consumers will travel more by air.

3. Magna International 

Magna International (TSX:MG) is an auto parts maker whose revenue depends on the sale of cars. While people will always buy cars, whether the economy is strong or weak, they are usually less inclined to buy new cars during tough economic times. When such times occur, Magna International typically sells fewer parts, and therefore makes less revenue, and experiences a decline in the value of its stock. 

4. Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) is a classic example of a retailer in the consumer discretionary sector. Its performance is tied closely to consumer spending habits, which contract during economic slowdowns and expand during prosperous times. That makes it highly sensitive to economic cycles.

5. First Quantum Minerals

As a major player in the metals and mining sector, First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM) is influenced by global demand for commodities like copper. Demand rises in economic booms when industrial production is high, but falls in recessions—making it highly cyclical.

Which industries are cyclical?

In general, an industry is considered “cyclical” when it depends heavily on a consumer’s disposable income for revenue. Here are just a few examples:

• Airlines and hotels: For many consumers, travel isn’t a necessity. It’s a luxury. When times are good, people are more willing to purchase airline tickets and pay for hotel rooms. Of course, the converse is true, too. As the economy contracts, people don’t have money to travel, and these companies often suffer a loss in revenue. 
  
• Automakers: You may think of your car as a necessity. And, in truth, for many people, cars are a necessity. But that’s not to say consumers will purchase new cars during a recession. The reluctance to take out car loans during lean times—the willingness to drive beaters or older models until the economy gets better—makes auto stocks cyclical. 
  
• Banks: During recessions, banks often lose money. For one, interest rates are typically lower, which hurts a bank’s ability to earn revenue. You may think low interest rates would draw more consumers to banks, but the reverse is true: during lean economic times, consumers are less likely to borrow money, which makes bank products—like mortgages, credit cards, and loans—less profitable. 
  
• Restaurants: People have to eat, true, but they don’t have to eat at restaurants. When the economy is strong, consumers are less hesitant to spend money at restaurants, whereas recessions often force them to buy only what they need at the grocery store. 
  
• Retail: Retail stocks are a mixed bunch, but, for the most part, they are cyclical. The only retail stocks that aren’t cyclical are those that sell products that people actually need. For example, Costco is a retailer that performs fairly well during recessions, as people still have to buy food.
  
• Textiles and apparel: Again, consumers are more hesitant to spend money on clothes, not to mention luxury clothes and apparel, when the economy is weak. 
  
• Technology: Like retail, tech stocks tend to be more cyclical, though there are exceptions. For the most part, however, consumers are less inclined to buy new smartphones and the latest gadgets when they’re stressed about money.    

What are the pros and cons of cyclical stocks?

Pros of cyclical stocks

Cyclical stocks can play an important role in a growth-oriented portfolio, particularly when economic conditions are improving. Their performance is closely tied to business and consumer activity, which can create meaningful upside during periods of expansion.

• Strong upside potential: Cyclical stocks can deliver significant gains during economic expansions as consumer spending and business investment increase.
• Leverage to growth: These companies often see faster revenue and earnings growth when economic conditions improve.
• Appeal to higher-risk investors: The volatility of cyclical stocks can create attractive opportunities for investors seeking above-average returns.

Cons of cyclical stocks

While the upside can be compelling, cyclical stocks also come with higher risk. Their sensitivity to economic conditions means they can underperform sharply when growth slows or uncertainty rises.

• High downside risk: During recessions or slowdowns, reduced spending can lead to sharp drops in earnings and stock prices.
• Greater volatility: Cyclical stocks tend to fluctuate more than defensive stocks, making them harder to hold through market stress.
• Market-timing challenges: Successfully buying and selling around economic cycles is difficult, as turning points are unpredictable and markets often move before economic data confirms a shift.

What about non-cyclical stocks?

While cyclical stocks can offer strong returns during economic growth, they often carry more risk in downturns. Non-cyclical (or defensive) stocks—such as those in utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples—provide essential goods and services that remain in demand regardless of economic conditions.

These companies typically deliver more stable revenues and less volatile stock performance, making them attractive during periods of economic uncertainty. Examples include producers of household goods and healthcare providers.

Although non-cyclical stocks may not match the growth potential of cyclical stocks in a booming economy, they help reduce portfolio risk during recessions. A well-diversified strategy often includes both types to balance growth and stability.

Should you buy cyclical stocks? 

Cyclical stocks are ideal for those investors who have a high risk tolerance. Because cyclicals can be volatile, you would do well to combine them with non-cyclical stocks. That way, you might have downside protection when the economy starts to falter. 

If you do want to buy cyclical stocks, the best time to buy them is at the beginning of an economic boom, or on the upward path after a recession. For instance, now might be a good time to buy certain cyclical companies that were negatively impacted by COVID-19, as many are starting to grow once again. That said, it’s impossible to time the market. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, whether it will be a boom or a bust, so if you’re going to buy cyclicals, you should buy them because you believe in the value of the company, not because it’s the “right time.” 

If you’re new to investing, you might want to buy shares in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks an index of cyclical stocks. In this way, you don’t have to handpick individual stocks: with a single share, you’ll get a basket of stocks, which will give you diversification, as well as take the heavy load of selecting stocks wisely off your shoulders.