How did WLYB's Q4 2024 earnings surprise investors?

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLYB) reported an earnings per share (EPS) surprise of $0.4 for the fourth quarter (Q4) of fiscal year 2024, compared to analysts' expectations. This positive surprise indicates that the company's actual performance exceeded market expectations, likely due to factors such as cost control, operational efficiency, or strategic initiatives. |code|Ticker|Name|Date|Estimate EPS YoY|Estimate Revenue YoY|market_code| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |WLYB|WLYB.N|John Wiley & Sons B|20240331|-108.955223880597|-28.05023923444976|169| |WLYB|WLYB.N|John Wiley & Sons B|20240630|-45.631067961165044|-28.536355051935793|169| |WLYB|WLYB.N|John Wiley & Sons B|20240930|-50.54945054945055|-24.485477976533947|169| |WLYB|WLYB.N|John Wiley & Sons B|20241231|-18.181818181818176|-15.828856485034537|169| The company's financial performance has shown significant improvements, as evidenced by the reported financial highlights in the SEC 10-Q report for the quarter ended October 31, 2024: 1. **Revenue and Profitability**: Total revenue for the quarter was $426.6 million, reflecting a decrease from $492.8 million in the prior year period, primarily due to divestitures and lower sales in certain segments. However, operating income increased to $64.1 million, up from $46.2 million in the prior year period, driven by cost reductions and efficiency improvements. Net income was $40.5 million, compared to a net loss of $19.4 million in the prior year period, indicating a significant improvement in profitability. 2. **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: The company reported a basic EPS of $0.75 for the quarter, compared to a loss per share of $0.35 in the prior year period. Diluted EPS was $0.74, compared to a loss per share of $0.35 in the prior year period, highlighting the positive impact of improved financial performance. Overall, WLYB's Q4 2024 earnings report demonstrated strong financial performance, which likely contributed to the positive earnings surprise and may have boosted investor confidence in the company's future prospects.