How did HBT's Q4 2024 earnings surprise impact investor sentiment?

**HBT's Q4 2024 earnings surprise had a positive impact on investor sentiment**, as evidenced by several key indicators:

1. **Earnings Beat Expectations**: HBT Financial reported quarterly earnings of $20.27 million, which surpassed market expectations. This beat on expectations contributed to a positive sentiment among investors.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue|Net Income|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q1|5.2314E7|1.5258E7|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q2|5.6638E7|1.807E7|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q3|5.6438E7|1.818E7|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q4|5.9031E7|2.0272E7|185|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q1|60|0.48|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q2|-1.7241379310344844|0.57|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q3|-8.064516129032265|0.57|185|

2. **Strong Revenue Growth**: The company's total revenue for the quarter was $59.03 million, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 4.87%. This growth in revenue, coupled with the earnings beat, bolstered investor confidence in the company's financial performance.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income YoY|Total Revenue YoY|Diluted EPS YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q1|65.70373588184188|-3.6113055975236765|60|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q2|-2.1815622800844476|-3.653931208110775|-1.7241379310344844|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q3|-7.785949784428101|-2.3040038775121605|-8.064516129032265|185|
|HBT|HBT.O|HBT Financial|2024 Q4|9.899165130651632|4.871289239460641||185|

3. **Dividend Yield**: HBT Financial maintained a healthy dividend yield of 3.37%, which is attractive to income-focused investors. The company's strong financial health and stable dividend payments likely contributed to investor sentiment.
4. **Stock Repurchase Program**: HBT Financial announced a new stock repurchase program, allowing the company to buy back up to $15 million of its common stock. This move is often interpreted as a sign of management's confidence in the company's future performance, which can positively influence investor sentiment.
5. **Analyst Ratings**: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Damon DelMonte upgraded the price target on HBT Financial shares to $28, maintaining an Outperform rating. This analyst endorsement can boost investor confidence and potentially attract new investors.

Overall, HBT's Q4 2024 earnings surprise, which included a beat on earnings and revenue expectations, along with positive strategic initiatives and analyst ratings, contributed to a positive sentiment among investors.