Why did LYV's Q4 2024 EPS slightly beat forecasts?

Live Nation Entertainment's (LYV) Q4 2024 EPS slightly beat forecasts due to robust global fan demand for live events and strategic expansion efforts, despite cost challenges: 1. **Concert Demand**: Increased ticket sales were driven by strong global fan demand for live events. This demand resulted in higher revenue from concerts, festivals, and other live entertainment activities. 2. **Strategic Expansion**: Live Nation's strategic expansion, including the addition of major venues and international events, contributed to revenue growth. The company sold 65 million tickets for concerts in 2025, marking a significant increase from the previous year, fueled by stadium and international events. 3. **Ticketing and Sponsorship**: The Ticketing segment's performance, including the provision of ticketing software and services, likely contributed to the revenue surprise. Additionally, the Sponsorship & Advertising segment's sales of international, national, and local sponsorships and advertising placements also supported revenue growth. In summary, Live Nation's Q4 2024 EPS beat forecasts due to strong concert demand, strategic expansion, and effective ticketing and sponsorship activities, despite cost challenges. |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Revenue Surprise|EPS Surprise|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q1|5.4E8|-0.34|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q2|-2.0E7|-0.03|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q3|-1.19E8|0.06|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q4|1.2E7|1.59|169| |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|Total Revenue|Diluted EPS|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q1|21.49201091005599|3.799529E9|-0.53|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q2|6.974113271066611|6.023416E9|1.03|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q3|-6.174162858267206|7.651087E9|1.66|169| |LYV|LYV.N|Live Nation|2024 Q4|-2.3559978627458698|5.681593E9||169|