What caused MUSA's EPS surprises in 2024?

Murphy USA's (MUSA) EPS surprise of $0.36 for the latest report period ending on December 31, 2024, can be attributed to several key factors:

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Estimate EPS|EPS Surprise|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q1|4.7|-1.58|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q2|6.92|0|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q3|6.81|0.39|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q4|6.6|0.36|169|

1. **Strong Retail Sales**: The company's strong retail sales, particularly in the convenience store sector, contributed significantly to the EPS surprise. This indicates that consumers continue to visit Murphy USA stores at higher rates, driving revenue and profitability.
2. **Effective Cost Management**: Murphy USA's ability to manage costs effectively, despite inflationary pressures, has likely played a role in the positive EPS surprise. This suggests that the company has been successful in controlling expenses while maintaining or increasing sales.
3. **Strategic Initiatives**: The company's strategic initiatives, such as optimizing its store portfolio and enhancing the customer experience, may have led to improved operational efficiencies and increased sales. These initiatives often result in better financial performance, as seen by the EPS surprise.

In conclusion, Murphy USA's EPS surprise in 2024 can be attributed to a combination of strong retail sales, effective cost management, and strategic initiatives. These factors collectively contribute to the company's robust financial performance and higher EPS than expected.