How did BCRX's Q4 earnings surprise investors?

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (BCRX) Q4 earnings report disappointed investors due to a larger-than-expected loss per share, despite revenue surpassing estimates:

1. **Revenue Surpass Estimates**: BioCryst's revenue for Q4 2024 was reported at $131.5 million, which exceeded market estimates. This indicates strong sales performance and operational efficiency in generating revenue.
2. **Earnings Miss Expectations**: However, the company's earnings per share (EPS) was reported at -$0.13, which was significantly worse than the consensus estimate of -$0.06. This represents a substantial earnings miss, suggesting that the company's profitability declined more than anticipated.
3. **Analyst Expectations**: Prior to the earnings release, analysts had anticipated a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues. Unfortunately, the reported EPS was much lower than expected, leading to disappointment among investors.
4. **Market Reaction**: Following the earnings release, BioCryst's stock experienced a significant drop, reflecting investor dissatisfaction with the earnings miss. The stock price fell by 12%, indicating market disappointment and a potential impact on investor confidence.

In conclusion, while BioCryst Pharmaceuticals' Q4 earnings report showed strong revenue performance, the significant earnings miss and larger-than-expected loss per share led to investor disappointment.