What caused ROK's EPS decline in Q4 2024?

The decline in Rockwell Automation's (ROK) EPS in Q4 2024 can be attributed to a combination of factors: 1. **Lower Sales Volume**: The most significant factor contributing to the EPS decline was the decrease in sales volume across all segments, particularly in the Software & Control segment, which experienced a 39% drop in fourth-quarter sales. This reduction in sales volume directly impacted the company's profitability, as revenue fell short of expectations. 2. **Currency Translation Impact**: Currency translation had a negative effect on sales, decreasing sales by 0.9 percentage points. This suggests that the company's international operations were affected by currency fluctuations, which can be volatile and unpredictable. 3. **Strategic Initiatives**: While these initiatives may have long-term benefits, they can also have short-term costs that impact profitability. For example, the company's focus on operational excellence and cost discipline likely led to a temporary dip in earnings as it implemented these changes. In summary, the decline in ROK's EPS in Q4 2024 was primarily due to lower sales volume, exacerbated by currency translation impact and strategic initiatives.