Should investors consider USLM based on 2024 EPS?

**Investors should consider United States Lime & Minerals (USLM) based on its 2024 EPS of $3.79**, but also take into account the following points: 1. **Growth in EPS**: USLM's EPS has shown a significant increase, from $1.16 in Q3 2023 to $3.79 in Q4 2024. This indicates a strong improvement in profitability over the year. |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |USLM|USLM.O|United States Lime & Minerals|2024 Q1|30.666666666666664|3.92|185| |USLM|USLM.O|United States Lime & Minerals|2024 Q2|31.884057971014506|0.91|185| |USLM|USLM.O|United States Lime & Minerals|2024 Q3|58.904109589041084|1.16|185| 2. **Revenue and Gross Profit Growth**: The company has reported notable increases in revenue and gross profit. Revenues for Q3 2024 were $89.4 million, a 19.4% increase from the same period in 2023. Gross profit surged by 53.1% to $43.1 million in Q3 2024 compared to $28.2 million in Q3 2023. For the first nine months of 2024, revenues reached $237.7 million, up 10.2% from $215.6 million in the previous year, and gross profit increased by 36.9% to $108.5 million. 3. **Net Income and Profit Margin**: Net income for Q3 2024 was $33.4 million, a 61% increase from $20.7 million in Q3 2023. The profit margin also improved, standing at 37% in Q3 2024, up from 28% in Q3 2023. 4. **Dividend**: The company has increased its dividend, with a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on March 15, 2024. 5. **Industry Position**: USLM is a key player in the lime and limestone manufacturing industry, serving a diverse range of industries including construction, industrial, environmental, metals, oil and gas services, and agriculture. In conclusion, USLM's 2024 EPS of $3.79, combined with the company's revenue growth, improved profit margins, and dividend increase, make it an attractive investment option. However, investors should also consider the company's industry dynamics, operational efficiency, and broader market conditions before making investment decisions.