---
title: Friday Fast Five - 2/16/2024
description: We aim to help investors separate the news from the noise by providing our perspective. Every Friday the Hodges Capital research analysts list the five most interesting things they discovered that week. Subscribe to receive the Hodges Friday Fast Five in your inbox every Friday.
image: https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Hodges-FridayFastFive.jpg
---
[](https://www.hodgescapital.com/)
[](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/9402040/5025aacb-6e9a-4ab0-8651-1dfa57e962c6)
** **
[](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/)
[](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/9402040/5025aacb-6e9a-4ab0-8651-1dfa57e962c6)
** **
**Menu**
** **
# Hodges Friday Fast Five
*"In the investment business, you go to school every day, but never graduate." - Don Hodges*
# Friday Fast Five - 2/16/2024
by [Hodges Investment Team](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/author/hodges-investment-team), on February 16, 2024
Five interesting things that Hodges Capital research analysts discovered this week...
#1 ATTACK OF THE TOOTHBRUSHES: Common household items these days are now “smart devices” connected to the Internet, such as baby monitors, ovens, refrigerators, and doorbells, to name a few. Recently, a surprising story about 3 million hacked toothbrushes engaging in a Denial-of-Service attack targeting a Swiss company went viral. Is this for real? Swiss newspaper Aargauer Zeitung initially reported this as an actual incident, but something was lost in translation as cyber security company Fortinet has since clarified to The Independent that it was a hypothetical scenario. This still serves as a warning that every device connected to the Internet can potentially be misused in an attack or the intended target.
**#2 HITTING A CHINA WALL: **Chinese January PPI (Producer Price Index) was down 2.5% over last year, the 16th consecutive decline. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) was down 0.8%, the deepest decline since 2009. This is deflation, a concerning economic situation where prices fall. In the case of China, debt, a shrinking population, and real estate concerns have led to weak demand and sluggish exports. Kyle Bass, founder of Hayman Capital, told CNBC this week that China is facing a crisis like the 2008 financial crash “on steroids.”
#3 BET ON TAYLOR SWIFT: The Superbowl has something of interest for everyone, whether it is football, commercials, or increasingly online betting. GeoComply, a global leader in advanced anti-fraud and geolocation compliance technologies for the last several years, has tracked geolocation checks during the Super Bowl. This is built into the betting apps to ensure a bet is placed in a state that has legalized such activity. The results: 1) Geo-location checks were up 23% over last year. 2) She wore black. 3) She appeared on screen more than six times. 4) The coin toss landed as heads.
#4 TAX REFUND DISAPPOINTMENT: The 2024 tax season started on January 29th and early results are in. So far 13.9 million returns have been processed and in total $2.6 billion refunds have been issued, resulting in an average refund of $1,295. That is down 29% from last year. Lower tax refunds may have negative implications for cash strapped consumers in an inflationary environment.
#5 RUNNING A 5K: The S&P 500 index sprinted to a milestone level of 5000 last Friday, a record level. The market rally has been narrowing, led by a handful of stocks, as reflected in less than 10% of the stocks in the index hitting a new 52-week high.
*HCM is an Investment Advisory Firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hodges Capital Holdings and serves as investment advisor to the Hodges Funds. HCM is affiliated with First Dallas Securities, Inc, a broker-dealer, and investment advisor registered with the SEC.*
*This discussion is not intended to be a forecast of future events and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investing in smaller companies involves additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. No current or prospective client should assume that information referenced in this communication is a recommendation to buy or sell any security or is a substitute for personalized investment advice from your individual advisor. HCM does not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor for any related questions.*
*All information referenced herein is from sources believed to be reliable and is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. This material was created for informational purposes only and the opinions expressed are solely those of HCM. HCM shall not in any way be liable for claims and makes no expressed or implied representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the data and other information. The data and information are provided as of the date referenced and are subject to change without notice.*
### Hodges Friday Fast Five
We aim to help investors separate the news from the noise by providing our perspective. Every Friday the Hodges Capital research analysts list the five most interesting things they discovered that week. Subscribe to receive the Hodges Friday Fast Five in your inbox every Friday.
- [Recent](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/2/16/2024#recent)
- [Topics](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/2/16/2024#topics)
- [Archive](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/2/16/2024#archive)
- [June 2023 (11)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/06)
- [July 2023 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/07)
- [September 2023 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/09)
- [August 2024 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/08)
- [August 2025 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/08)
- [October 2025 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/10)
- [January 2026 (5)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/01)
- [December 2021 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2021/12)
- [August 2023 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/08)
- [October 2023 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/10)
- [December 2023 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/12)
- [January 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/01)
- [February 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/02)
- [March 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/03)
- [April 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/04)
- [May 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/05)
- [June 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/06)
- [September 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/09)
- [October 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/10)
- [November 2024 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/11)
- [March 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/03)
- [April 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/04)
- [May 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/05)
- [June 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/06)
- [September 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/09)
- [November 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/11)
- [December 2025 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/12)
- [February 2026 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/02)
- [March 2026 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/03)
- [May 2026 (4)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/05)
- [March 2023 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/03)
- [November 2023 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/11)
- [July 2024 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/07)
- [December 2024 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2024/12)
- [January 2025 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/01)
- [February 2025 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/02)
- [July 2025 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2025/07)
- [April 2026 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/04)
- [June 2026 (3)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2026/06)
- [February 2023 (2)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/02)
- [April 2023 (2)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2023/04)
- [April 2021 (1)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2021/04)
- [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2021/06)
- [November 2021 (1)](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/archive/2021/11)
[More...](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/2/16/2024#)
### Subscribe to the Hodges Friday Fast Five
Hodges Capital Management, Inc.
2905 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201
Toll Free: [(888) 878 4426](tel:+18888784426)
Local: [(214) 954-1177](tel:2149541177)
[Regulatory Disclosures](https://www.hodgescapital.com/advisory-disclosures)
## Contact Hodges Capital
Copyright © 2023 | Hodges Capital Management | All Rights Reserved.
Web Site Development by: [Goodwood Consulting](https://www.goodwood-consulting.com/)
[Terms & Conditions](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Footer%20Links/HCM_Terms%20and%20Conditions_website_%202023_FINAL.docx) | [Privacy Policy](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Footer%20Links/Privacy_Policy.docx) | [Cookies Policy](https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Footer%20Links/Cookies_Policy.docx) | [SMS Privacy Policy](https://www.hodgescapital.com/sms-privacy-policy) | [SMS Terms of Use](https://www.hodgescapital.com/sms-terms-of-use)
## Hodges Mutual Funds
You are now leaving the Hodges Capital website and entering the Hodges Funds website. Do you wish to continue?
[Yes](https://hodgesfunds.com/)
## Hodges Private Client
You are now leaving the Hodges Capital website and entering the Hodges Funds website. Do you wish to continue?
[Yes](https://www.hodgescapital.com/hpc)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Hodges Investment Team",
"url" : "https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/author/hodges-investment-team"
},
"dateModified" : "2024-02-16T21:13:22.346Z",
"datePublished" : "2024-02-16T21:13:22.000Z",
"headline" : "Friday Fast Five - 2/16/2024",
"image" : [ "https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Hodges-FridayFastFive.jpg" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.hodgescapital.com/capital-fast-five/2/16/2024",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.hodgescapital.com/hubfs/Hodges-Capital-Color-1.png"
},
"name" : "Hodges Private Client"
}
}
```