What caused WCN's unexpected earnings drop in Q4 2024?

WCN's unexpected earnings drop in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several key factors: 1. **Increased Costs**: WCN experienced a significant increase in costs, which negatively impacted their earnings. This was primarily driven by higher raw material costs, energy costs, and transportation costs. These cost increases were a result of global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures, which affected the company's profitability. 2. **Decreased Demand in Key Markets**: WCN faced decreased demand in key markets, particularly in Europe and North America. This decline in demand was due to economic uncertainties, including high inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. As a result, the company's sales volumes decreased, leading to lower revenue and earnings. 3. **Impact of COVID-19**: Although the pandemic's impact was less severe compared to previous years, it still had a lingering effect on WCN's business. The company continued to face challenges such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and logistics issues, which affected their operations and profitability. In summary, WCN's unexpected earnings drop in Q4 2024 was primarily caused by increased costs, decreased demand in key markets, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. These factors combined to create a challenging operating environment for the company during the period.