Supercycle
A supercycle is an unusually long period—often 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 outsized returns for investors who recognize them early, but they can also lull people into thinking good times will last forever. For example, if copper demand surges due to global electrification and stays elevated for a decade, mining companies might enjoy a supercycle. The catch: supercycles always end eventually, sometimes suddenly, so timing your exit matters as much as spotting the trend.
Updated August 1, 2026.