Financial Dictionary
Secular
An adjective used to describe a long-term time frame, usually at least 10 years.
Investopedia Commentary
For example, in his book "Stocks For the Long Run", Jeremy Siegel (finance professor at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) argues that equity securities (particular American equities) will likely outperform the other major asset classes on a secular basis, or over the long term. He backs this argument up with the fact that between 1871-2001 during any rolling 30-year period (a period long enough to be considered secular) stocks outperformed all other asset classes, in particular bonds and T-bills.
Related Links
Cyclical Versus Non-Cyclical Stocks
The Ups And Downs Of Investing In Cyclical Stocks
See also: Asset Class, Bond, Cyclical Industry, Cyclical Stock, Long Term, Long-Term Assets, Medium Term, Short Term, Treasury Bill