Why did LH consistently exceed EPS forecasts in 2024?

Labcorp Holdings (LH) consistently exceeded EPS forecasts in 2024 due to a combination of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and operational efficiencies: 1. **Organic Growth**: The company experienced organic revenue growth, driven by increases in the base business and the introduction of new products. For example, in Q1 2024, the organic Base Business grew by 4.2%, while the Diagnostics Laboratories segment reported an 8.9% increase in revenue. 2. **Strategic Acquisitions**: Labcorp's acquisition strategy has been a key factor in its growth. The company has made significant acquisitions that have expanded its service offerings and market share. For instance, the acquisition of select assets and molecular testing locations in Alabama and the outreach laboratory services from Ballad Health have strengthened Labcorp's position in rural areas. 3. **Operational Efficiencies**: Labcorp has implemented initiatives like the LaunchPad program, which is expected to achieve significant savings. These efficiencies have helped to improve margins and boost profitability. 4. **Market Demand**: The demand for diagnostic tests has increased due to the post-pandemic recovery, particularly in the United States. This has benefited Labcorp's diagnostic services, which have seen strong revenue growth. 5. **Financial Guidance**: Labcorp's financial guidance for 2024 projected enterprise revenue growth of 6.6% to 7.3% and adjusted EPS between $14.30 and $14.70, which suggests a positive outlook that could lead to consistent EPS outperformance. In summary, Labcorp's ability to exceed EPS forecasts in 2024 can be attributed to its strong organic growth, strategic acquisitions, operational efficiencies, market demand, and positive financial guidance. These factors collectively contribute to the company's robust financial performance and confidence in its future growth prospects.