Jamie Dimon Starts Every Morning Reading Five Newspapers
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Reading 5 Newspapers Every Morning
In today's information-driven world, reading is the fundamental engine of cognitive development and informed citizenship. When a society loses its reading stamina, it becomes more vulnerable to misinformation and civic apathy, as the ability to synthesize multiple perspectives and analyze nuanced arguments withers.
For JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, the pulse of the global economy is felt long before the markets open.
In a candid 37-minute interview with The Wall Street Journal released in April of 2024, the titan of Wall Street pulled back the curtain on his rigid 4:30 a.m. morning routine, revealing a “very specific” media diet that begins with a nod to New York City’s local flavor.
The “Conspiratorial” Choice: While Dimon oversees assets worth trillions, his first move of the day is remarkably grounded. He admitted to starting his morning by flipping through The New York Post. “I flip through The Post, ’cause everyone else does it,” Dimon said with a smile, acknowledging the tabloid's status as a staple for New York’s power players.
Grading the Broadsheets: After catching up on local headlines, Dimon moves on to a heavy rotation of national broadsheets. His list includes The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. However, the CEO didn’t pull his punches when it came to editorial quality; he specifically noted that The New York Times’ business section “isn’t great,” though it remains a part of his morning ritual.
A Global Perspective: To round out his information intake, Dimon looks across the Atlantic. He concludes his reading session with the Financial Times, citing its superior international news coverage as a necessity for leading a global financial institution.
Consuming a Diverse Set Of Information
As the leader of the world’s largest bank, Jamie Dimon’s morning routine is far more than a personal quirk; it is a masterclass in strategic intelligence gathering. In the high-stakes world of global finance, information is a competitive weapon, and Dimon’s "layered" approach to reading allows him to synthesize populist sentiment, national policy, and international market shifts before most of the city has even poured their first cup of coffee.
For professionals and investors, paying attention to these habits offers a window into how top-tier decision-makers filter noise from signal. By starting with the New York Post to gauge the public pulse and ending with the Financial Times for global context, Dimon ensures his worldview is both grounded in local reality and expansive enough to anticipate systemic risks. Following his lead isn't about copying his clock—it's about adopting his commitment to being the most well-informed person in the room.
For New Yorkers, Dimon’s routine underscores a long-standing truth: in the capital of the world, staying ahead requires a mix of gritty local reporting and high-level global analysis.
