A shift of funds by investors into sectors that have become favored, such as automobiles, consumer products, or leisure companies. Share prices in those groups rise as investors buy stocks in those sectors on expectations that the current economic conditions favor companies in those sectors. For instance, if the economy is slowing, consumer product stocks likely will benefit because consumers still will have to purchase basic products. However, shares of steel or transportation companies may falter, since consumers donÂ’t have to buy their products.