Economists and investors have long turned to copper as a reliable economic indicator: High prices meant the economy was humming, and low prices meant it wasn’t. That’s in part because copper is useful for so many economic activities. In fact, copper was considered such a good signal that investors gave it a nickname—Dr. Copper. But now, as high demand and tariffs affect copper prices, is the commodity’s relationship with the economy becoming blurry? Host Alex Ossola discusses this with Dec Mullarkey, head of investment strategy and asset allocation at SLC Management. This is part two of our four-part series on alternative economic indicators.

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Further Listening

Alternative Indicators: Can Nevada Employment Predict Where the Economy is Headed?

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A.M. Edition for Nov. 12. The Supreme Court is holding up food aid for millions in a bid not to derail a House vote to end the government shutdown. Plus, an exclusive look at the White House push to upend how shareholders can vote on and influence the future of America's biggest companies. And President Trump moves to drill baby drill, off the coast of California. WSJ’s Giulia Petroni explains how the administration's campaign against renewable energies has already changed the outlook for oil and gas demand in years to come. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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P.M. Edition for Nov. 11. Big companies that usually staff up for the holiday rush are adding fewer seasonal workers this year. WSJ economics reporter Justin Lahart digs into what’s behind uncertainty in the holiday jobs market and the complicated task of gauging the economic effect of government shutdown. Plus, large companies looking to take advantage of tax breaks passed by Republicans this year are finding they’re on the hook for taxes because of a 2022 law. We hear from WSJ tax policy reporter Richard Rubin about what companies are doing about it. And wealthy travelers continue to splurge on luxury hotels, where the average room cost is at a record high. Alex Ossola hosts.

Send a voice memo to w-n-p-o-d at wsj.com with your experiences flying during the shutdown or leave a voicemail with your name and location at 332-214-8472. 

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A.M. Edition for Nov. 11. Anthropic's business-first strategy means the AI start-up is likely to turn a profit years before its consumer-focused rival, OpenAI. WSJ tech reporter Sam Schechner explains what this says about the path to success in the AI race. Plus, Congress has voted to end the longest government shutdown in history, with Democrats descending into infighting. And WSJ editor Bertrand Benoit details how Europe is facing a frightening new reality of hybrid attacks, putting the continent somewhere between war and peace. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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P.M. Edition for Nov. 10. A settlement between merchants and Visa and Mastercard over interchange fees would let stores reject popular credit cards. WSJ reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis, who covers banking for the Journal, discusses why that’s a big change in the industry that could change how often you use premium credit cards. Plus, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has an end in sight–and Democrats fuming at members of their own party. And while Hollywood box office has been in the doldrums after the pandemic, IMAX is an increasingly hot ticket. Alex Ossola hosts.

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Since the early 2000s, a fall in employment in the state of Nevada has preceded a broader U.S. recession. It makes sense why—the economic fortunes of Las Vegas, which make up a big part of the state’s overall economy, are intimately tied to consumers’ comfort with spending. Host Alex Ossola speaks with Andrew Woods, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, about what the state data shows now, and what it says about the health of the U.S. economy. This is part one of our four-part series on alternative economic indicators.

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A.M. Edition for Nov. 10. The Senate last night moved toward ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, after eight members of the Democratic caucus broke rank and joined Republicans in voting to advance a spending measure. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes explains what helped break the stalemate. Plus, an update on air travel as the FAA restricts private jets and total flight cancellations continue to climb. And WSJ’s Margarita Stancati explains why your favourite pasta might be disappearing from the store. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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This week we’re bringing you an episode of our sister podcast WSJ’s Take On the Week, a weekly show focused on the news that’ll move markets in the week to come. In this week's episode, guest host Miriam Gottfried is joined by Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman, senior media analysts at MoffettNathanson, to break down the potential Paramount Skydance and Warner Discovery merger. Plus, co-host Telis Demos and Miriam discuss the Supreme Court case challenging President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, how the affordability message is winning elections, and the recent drama in the private credit market. 

Further Reading

Warner Discovery Moving Fast on Split or Sale, CEO Says

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Trump’s Tariffs

Wall Street Couldn’t Stop Mayor Mamdani. Now It Has to Work With Him.

Private-Credit Earnings Ease Investor Concern Over Asset Class’s Health

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How have the FAA’s major flight cancellations affected the airlines? And why did E.l.f. Beauty’s stock plummet after reporting an increase in quarterly sales? Plus, what does Wall Street’s growing jitters about a possible AI bubble mean for Palantir Technologies? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

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P.M. Edition for Nov. 7. Falling tech stocks drove the Nasdaq down 3% this week. WSJ markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang discusses what’s got investors on edge. Plus, flight cancellations due to the government shutdown scrambled travelers’ plans today, but it could get even worse, with up to 20% of flights nixed as the shutdown continues. And Microsoft’s AI chief lays out the company’s new artificial intelligence vision separate from OpenAI. WSJ tech reporter Sebastian Herrera joins to discuss. Alex Ossola hosts.

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