On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to examine why many analysts are moving beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio model.

They break down the shift toward a 60/20/20 framework—60% stocks, 20% bonds, and 20% gold—and explain why major institutions are reconsidering asset allocations after years of inflation, geopolitical instability, and market concentration in a handful of technology stocks. The discussion highlights how correlations between stocks and bonds have changed, why portfolios can quietly drift out of balance, and why annual “financial checkups” are essential in fast-moving markets.

Diehl shares a six-year analysis comparing multiple asset classes through the COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts, and persistent inflation. The results underscore the hidden cost of inflation—roughly 24.5% over that period—and reveal how several conventional assets struggled to outpace rising prices, while gold and silver grew at several times the rate of inflation.

Chastain explains the importance of managing different types of risk, including volatility risk, shortfall risk, and inflation risk. Together, they outline how adding a third pillar in the form of physical gold may help stabilize portfolios while preserving long-term purchasing power.

Discover why U.S. Money Reserve is a trusted ally for Americans focused on wealth protection and long-term financial security. As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-minted gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—and the only precious-metals firm led by two former U.S. Mint Directors—it offers clients unmatched institutional expertise. Having served more than one million customers and processed over $4.4 billion in transactions, U.S. Money Reserve continues to help individuals safeguard their futures.