How did ESPR's revenue and expenses shift in Q4 2024?

Esperion Therapeutics Inc. (ESPR) experienced a significant increase in revenue and a slight improvement in expenses in Q4 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year, although the company still reported a loss. 1. **Revenue Shift**: - **Q4 2023**: Esperion's revenue was $69.11 million, reflecting a substantial increase of 114.3% from $32.52 million in Q4 2023. - **Analyst Expectations**: Analysts had anticipated revenue to be approximately $61.58 million for the quarter. - **Comparison with Estimates**: Esperion surpassed analyst expectations with a notable surge in revenue, indicating strong sales performance or market expansion. 2. **Expense Shift**: - **Q4 2023**: The company reported a quarterly loss of $21.32 million, with an EPS of -11 cents per share. - **Q4 2024**: Esperion's reported EPS for the quarter was a loss of 11 cents per share, an improvement from the -50 cents per share reported in Q4 2023. - **Expense Comparison**: While the company's expenses decreased from a loss of $50 cents per share to $11 cents per share, the total quarterly loss increased to $21.32 million compared to the previous year's $20.48 million. 3. **Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings**: - **Stock Performance**: ESPR's shares had fallen by 28.2% in Q4 2024, which may reflect market reactions to the financial results or broader market conditions. - **Analyst Ratings**: The average analyst rating on the shares remained "buy," with a few holding and sell ratings. The median 12-month price target was $5.50, suggesting a potential upside from the current trading price. 4. **Trends and Forecasts**: - **Earnings Estimates**: The mean earnings estimate of analysts had fallen by about 10.2% in the last three months, indicating a potential downturn in expected profitability. - **Price Target and Recommendations**: Despite the challenges, the buy rating and price target set by analysts reflect confidence in Esperion's long-term prospects, particularly with the submission of new drug applications in Canada and ongoing global expansion efforts. In conclusion, while ESPR faced challenges in Q4 2024 with continued losses, the company demonstrated strong revenue growth, which could be a positive signal for its market position and future prospects. However, the decline in stock price and the need to manage expenses more efficiently will be crucial for Esperion's overall financial health and market perception.