How did BAER's Q4 2024 earnings surprise investors?

Bridger Aerospace (BAER) delivered mixed results in Q4 2024, leading to varied reactions from investors:

1. **Revenue Surpassed Expectations**: BAER's revenue for the quarter was estimated at $9.7 million, with an actual revenue of $64.51 million. This significant beat underscores the company's strong operational performance and market demand for its services, particularly in wildfire management.

2. **Earnings Per Share (EPS) Missed Expectations**: The EPS for the quarter was $0.31, missing the consensus of $0.46. This discrepancy likely contributed to some investor disappointment, as it indicated lower profitability than anticipated.
3. **Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA Show Strong Growth**: BAER reported a net income of $27.35 million and an adjusted EBITDA of $47 million. These figures reflect robust financial performance and operational efficiency, which could be seen as positive surprises.
4. **Stock Price Reaction**: Following the earnings release, BAER's stock saw a 20% increase, trading at $4.20 premarket. This surge suggests investor confidence in the company's growth prospects, despite the EPS miss.
5. **Guidance Updates**: BAER raised its revenue guidance for the year, projecting $90 to $95 million, up from the previous $70 to $86 million. This significant increase in guidance likely bolstered investor optimism about the company's future performance.

In conclusion, while BAER's Q4 2024 earnings report revealed a missed EPS, it was overshadowed by strong revenue surpassing expectations, significant net income and adjusted EBITDA growth, and an optimistic guidance update. These factors combined to drive investor confidence and a positive stock price reaction.