What is Ragnarok & How Does It Relate To Trump?
πππIn Norse mythology, Ragnarok is the "Twilight of the Gods" - a series of cataclysmic events, including a great winter and a final battle, that leads to the total destruction and eventual rebirth of the world.
In modern finance, macro strategists like Michael Every from Rabobank use "Ragnarok" to describe the collapse of the old global economic order and the rise of "Trump's Grand Macro Strategy".
How Ragnarok Relates to Trump
The Death of the Old Gods: Just as Ragnarok marks the end of the Norse deities, Trump's strategy represents the end of the Post War Order. This is the rule based, globalised trade system governed by institutions like World Trade Organisation. To Trump, these old rules are the "doomed gods" that must fall for America to be reborn.
Economic Statecraft as a Weapon: In this Ragnarok scenario, trade is no longer about mutual prosperity but is used as a weapon. Trump uses tariffs and national security threats as leverage to force allies and rivals into a new US-centric system - what some call "Pact Americana".
The "Only Right One" Narrative: While traditional economists predict a global meltdown - the apocalypse, Trump's supporters argue that his "chaos" thesis is actually a coherent plan to maintain US hegemony. If the US economy remains resilient while rivals struggle, Trump becomes the "only one" who correctly saw that the old system was failing.
A New World Rising: Mythology says the earth rises again, fertile and new after Ragnarok. Trump's strategy aims for a similar rebirth: a re-industrialised America where production is onshored or "friendshored" within a system controlled by the US.
The Ragnarok Investment Playbook
If we are playing by the rules of Macro Ragnarok - where global trade breaks down and national security becomes the ultimate economic driver, you want to pivot away from "paper" growth toward steel, shields and self reliance.
Here are 3 top specific ETFs to anchor your "Twilight of the Gods" portfolio :
1. $Global X Defense Tech ETF(SHLD)$
The Ragnarok Logic: This is the cyber shield play. In a world of geopolitical tension and the Iran war, national security is no longer just about tanks. It is about AI, drones and cybersecurity.
Top Holdings: Lockheed Martin (LMT) at 9.5%, RTX Corporation (RTX) at 7.9% and $Palantir Technologies Inc.(PLTR)$
Performance: A standout performer, up 67% over the last 12 months.
Dividend Yield: 0.49% paid semi annually.
Expense ratio : 0.50%.
Consensus: Moderate Buy based on 42 analyst ratings.
Target Price: High forecast of USD 94.46 and low of USD 71.01.
2. $Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF(PAVE)$
The Ragnarok Logic: The Reshoring King. As Trump pushes for re-industrialisation and US self reliance, PAVE owns the companies building the physical foundations - roads, grids and fractories.
Top Holdings: United Rentals, Eaton Corp and Trane Technologies.
Performance: Up 48% from its 52 week low in April 2025.
Dividend Yield: 0.87%
Expense ratio : 0.47%.
Consensus: Moderate Buy
Target Price : USD 65.20.
3. $iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF(PICK)$
The Ragnarok Logic : The strategic resource play. You can't fight a trade war or build an AI grid without raw materials. PICK focuses on the global miners that control the world's supply of copper, iron and lithium.
Top Holdings: BHP Group at 12.4%, Rio Tinto at 6.5% and Freeport McMoran at 5.7%.
Performance: While the sector is volatile, it serves as natural hedge against stagflation and rising resource costs.
Dividend yield: 2.85%.
Expense ratio: 0.39%.
Consensus: Target price is USD 53.80.
Market Context: While currently showing more modest upside compared to Defense or Infrastructure, it remains a key beneficiary of the AI led capital spending boom and increased demand for basic materials in 2026.
Concluding Thoughts
In the end, Macro Ragnarok isn't about the end of the world. It is about the end of the world as we knew it. The era of predictable, borderless markets is fading. It is now replaced by a gritty , high stakes game of "Economic Statecraft" where steel, energy and national security are the only true currencies.
Whether it is SHLD protecting our digital borders, PAVE rebuilding the physical ones, or PICK securing raw materials to make it all happen, the strategy remains the same:
"Don't bet on the company with the best marketing. Bet on the one the government cannot afford to let it fail."
The "Twilight of the Gods" is always followed by a new dawn. While others may be paralysed by the volatility of the "Trump Rhythm" or the fear of Stagflation, the wise investor recognises that this chaos is simply the heavy machinery of a new world being built.
As the old saying goes:
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors".
The winds have changed. The Ragnarok Trio ETFs - SHLD, PAVE and PICK ETFs are the sails we need to navigate choppy waters.
Stay patient, stay diversified. The best time to plant our tree was years ago but the second best time is right now.
@Tiger_comments @TigerStars @TigerClub @CaptainTiger @Tiger_SG
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- EdwardHughesΒ·11:35TOPSpot on! SHLD, PAVE, PICK for the win in this chaos. [ηζΆ¨]1Report