What caused TEL's EPS surprises in Q4 2024?

TE Connectivity (TEL) experienced an EPS surprise of $0.06 in Q4 2024, which can be attributed to several key factors:

1. **Strategic Acquisitions**: The company's acquisition of Richards Manufacturing Co. is expected to enhance TE Connectivity's capabilities in serving energy customers and utilities worldwide. Such strategic moves can lead to improved operational efficiency and potentially increase earnings.
2. **Dividend Increase**: TE Connectivity recently announced a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders. While this increase may not directly impact EPS, it can influence investor perceptions and potentially attract more investors, affecting the stock's performance and indirectly impacting EPS through stock price and investor sentiment.
3. **Legal Challenges**: The company is embroiled in a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Credo Technology, which can pose potential risks to financial performance. Legal challenges can create uncertainty and may lead to increased legal costs, which could impact EPS if realized.
4. **Market Conditions**: The broader market turmoil, including a massive sell-off driven by external economic factors like tariff announcements, may have influenced TE Connectivity's stock price and, consequently, its EPS due to changes in investor sentiment and market valuation.

In conclusion, TE Connectivity's EPS surprise in Q4 2024 was likely a result of a combination of strategic acquisitions, dividend increase, legal challenges, and market conditions. These factors, either directly or indirectly, can impact the company's financial performance and lead to EPS surprises.