Five interesting things that Hodges Capital research analysts discovered this week...

#1 US POPULATION GROWTH RECORD: The U.S. has just experienced its most significant one-year demographic increase in history, but it's not because of more babies. According to a recent report by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC), the U.S. population grew by over 3.8 million in 2023, well above the annual 1 to 3 million levels over the last 100 years. The report attributes the increase in population to the surge in immigration.

#2 THE RISE OF GEN-Z: Step aside, Baby Boomers, the younger generation Gen-Zs are taking the lead in investing for the future. While this age group is known for prioritizing life over work, they make conservative financial decisions compared to Millennials. Gen-Z is financially literate, has money to invest, appreciates risk, and is more proactive at building wealth to finance a balanced life.

#3 DROP AND LIFT WEIGHT: Wallstreet is focused on the class of weight-loss drugs called GLP-1 agonists that help people drop weight. Still, physicians are concerned about the associated loss of muscle and organ mass (including the heart) and decreased bone density. In response, recommendations are to have regular physician checkups, increase protein to a healthy diet, and lift weights.

#4 TANKING: Bloomberg reports that conflicts in the Red Sea and the resulting itinerary diversions are exacerbating a shortage of oil tankers. Just two new supertankers are due to join the fleet in 2024, the fewest in 4 decades. Next year, there will only be an additional 5.

#5 A REALLY FAST FIVE: The Chinese are leaders in low-cost Electric Vehicles, yet news this week out of Chinese manufacturer BYD might get the attention of McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. BYD debuted its most expensive car, a 1.68 million yuan ($233,450) high-performance, fully electric supercar called the U9. Borrowing a Tesla term, the car accelerates at a "ludicrous" 0-60 mph in just 2.36 seconds.

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