Five interesting things that Hodges Capital research analysts discovered this week...
#1 TOTAL FERTILITY RATES: The CDC has released preliminary fertility data for the 12 months ending in Q4 2024, showing a slight rise in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 1.63, up by 0.01 from 2023. Fertility rates increased across all age groups between 20-44, with the largest rise in women aged 40-44 (+1.6%).
#2 TRADING PARTNERS: A recent Pew Research Center survey shows that Americans have mixed opinions about the benefits of trade with the U.S.'s top three trading partners—China, Canada, and Mexico. The survey, conducted in March 2025, reveals skepticism about trade with China, with only 10% of Americans believing it benefits the U.S. more, compared to 46% who think China gains more.
#3 BABY BOOMER HOUSING: In 2025, baby boomers overtook millennials as the top home-buying generation in the U.S., accounting for 42% of sales compared to millennials' 29%, a sharp drop from 38% the year prior. First-time buyers, mostly millennials, hit a historical low of 24% due to affordability challenges, limited inventory, and difficulty saving for down payments, while many baby boomers leveraged cash for purchases. Multigenerational home buying also grew, with 17% of buyers seeking such homes to reduce costs or accommodate family needs, according to a New York Times post.
#4 AVIAN FLU IMPACT: U.S. egg prices surged again last month reaching a record-high of $6.23 per dozen despite forecasts, lower wholesale prices and no egg farms having bird flu outbreaks.
#5 BLUE-COLLAR BLUES: A Pew Research Center survey highlights significant differences in how blue-collar workers view their jobs compared to other U.S. workers. Blue-collar workers, who make up about 27% of the workforce, report lower job satisfaction, feel less respected, and are more likely to see their jobs as "just a way to get by" rather than a career. Younger blue-collar workers, particularly those under 30, are the least satisfied, while older blue-collar workers report higher job satisfaction.
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