Darius Dale joined Anthony Pompliano on The Pomp Podcast to unpack three major shifts in today’s macro environment. He challenged the idea that bonds and cash are safe, highlighted the decline in foreign demand for U.S. debt, and outlined why the current regime still supports staying engaged in select risk assets. If you missed the discussion, here are three key takeaways that likely have huge implications for your portfolio:
1) Fiscal Recklessness Is Undermining U.S. Stability
Both parties are spending aggressively with no credible plan to rein in deficits. Even cutting all non-defense discretionary spending would only reduce the deficit from 7% to 5% of GDP—before the tax cuts reduce revenues (relative to baseline) further. With mounting debt and no political appetite for austerity, the long-term fiscal trajectory looks increasingly fragile.
Key Takeaway: Washington’s fiscal mismanagement is weakening U.S. credit quality and leaving fewer tools to manage future crises.
2) There Is A Geopolitically Driven Supply-Demand Imbalance In Treasuries
Foreign demand for Treasuries is fading. China, Europe, and Japan are pulling back due to strategic decoupling, re-militarization, and policy normalization, respectively. Meanwhile, assets traditionally considered “risky”—like Bitcoin, gold, and stocks—are outperforming.
Key Takeaway: As markets trudge deeper into this Fourth Turning regime, traditional “risk” assets are actually the safe havens. The real risk lies in holding bonds and cash.
3) Follow the Signals, Not the Headlines
Darius’s message is clear: stay engaged while the market regime supports it. With policymakers boxed into growing or printing their way out of structural imbalances, disciplined exposure to select risk assets is more important than ever. 42 Macro’s KISS framework equips investors to sidestep behavioral traps and compound more effectively over time.
Key Takeaway: Avoid volatility drag and compound returns faster by remaining invested in traditional “risk” assets and only reducing exposure when the market regime tell you to.
Final Thought: The Fourth Turning Is Here
With bonds and the dollar failing to preserve capital, the definition of “safe” has changed. As the U.S. consumes an unsustainable share of global capital and shows little political will for fiscal repair, investors must rethink where real protection lies. The true risk isn’t volatility—it’s being stuck in assets with negative expected returns. As Darius notes, the Fourth Turning is more than a cycle—it’s the new investment reality.
If you are not confident your portfolio is positioned correctly for the evolving macro landscape, partner with 42 Macro for data-driven insights and proven risk management overlays—KISS and Dr. Mo—to help you stay on the right side of market risk.
No catch—just real insights to help you stay ahead in the #Team42 community.
Best of luck out there,
— Team 42
