Economists are always looking for the best economic indicators. Some look at the money-supply figures, others at measures of business confidence.
The price of shipping, measured by the Baltic Dry Index, has become a widely followed barometer for global trade. But here’s another we shouldn’t overlook: the film and music charts.
Over the past few weeks, the huge success of musicals such as High School Musical 3 and Mamma Mia!, the resurgence of horror flicks and the return of heavy rock with bands such as AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses are all …