What this lesson is about
Different sectors tend to lead and lag at different points in the economic cycle. Sector rotation is the strategy built around trying to anticipate which one's turn is next.
Part 1 of 2
Sector, rotation, is, an, investing, strategy, based, on, a, real, pattern:, different, sectors, lead, and, lag, at, various, points, in, the, economic, cycle., "Cyclical", sectors,, such, as, Industrials, or, Consumer, Discretionary,, usually, perform, well, during, economic, expansions., Their, revenue, and, profits, are, sensitive, to, overall, growth., On, the, other, hand,, "defensive", sectors, like, Consumer, Staples, or, Utilities, tend, to, hold, up, better, during, downturns., People, still, need, basic, groceries, and, electricity,, so, demand, stays, stable, even, when, the, economy, weakens.
Using, sector, rotation, means, shifting, your, portfolio, weight, between, sectors, based, on, the, current, or, expected, stage, of, the, economic, cycle., You, bet, on, which, sectors, are, likely, to, outperform, next., Sector-specific, ETFs, are, a, practical, tool, for, this, strategy., They, let, you, gain, or, reduce, exposure, to, an, entire, sector, with, a, single, trade,, instead, of, picking, individual, companies.
Quick check
What is "sector rotation," as an investing strategy?
Sector rotation is specifically about shifting sector weightings based on the economic cycle, betting that certain sectors are more likely to outperform at a given stage than others.
Part 2 of 2
Quick check
What is the general logic behind why "cyclical" sectors (like Industrials or Consumer Discretionary) have historically tended to perform relatively well during an economic expansion?
Cyclical sectors' fortunes are more closely tied to the strength of overall economic activity, which is exactly why they can see outsized benefit during periods of economic expansion.
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