Supercycle

A supercycle is an unusually long period—typically 10+ years—when demand for a commodity or sector stays consistently high, driving prices and profits upward. You'll hear this term when analysts discuss oil, metals, agriculture, or tech booms that seem to defy normal market ups and downs. It matters because supercycles can create multi-year tailwinds for entire industries, making them attractive to long-term investors. For example, if a global infrastructure boom drives sustained demand for steel and copper, mining companies might enjoy a supercycle where revenues grow year after year. When a supercycle ends, though, the reversal can be sharp—so timing matters.