How did IZEA's Q4 earnings surprise impact its annual performance?

**IZEA's Q4 earnings surprise had a significant impact on its annual performance**, primarily due to the substantial quarterly loss and missed revenue expectations. Here's an analysis of the effects:

1. **Revenue Impact**:
- IZEA's Q4 revenue was below expectations, with reported revenue of $8.83 million, missing the analyst estimate of $10.75 million. This shortfall affected the annual revenue, as the company's total annual revenue was $29.46 million (Q1: $6.97 million + Q2: $8.83 million + Q3: $8.8 million + Q4: $8.83 million).
- The annual revenue growth was 11.9%, which was a notable increase from the previous year, but it did not fully compensate for the revenue miss in Q4.
2. **Net Income Impact**:
- IZEA reported a net loss of $8.77 million for Q4, which, when combined with the previous quarters' losses, resulted in a substantial annual net loss.
- The annual net loss was primarily driven by the Q4 results, as the company's financial statements for the quarter showed a significant decline in earnings per share (EPS) and a widened net loss compared to the previous year.
3. **Annual EPS Impact**:
- The EPS for Q4 was -$0.28, which, when combined with the previous quarters, resulted in an annual EPS of approximately -$0.52.
- This annual EPS was significantly lower than the previous year's EPS, indicating a deteriorating financial performance trend.
4. **Analyst Reaction and Future Outlook**:
- Despite the Q4 miss, the analyst consensus remained positive, with a "strong buy" recommendation and a median 12-month price target of $8.75.
- The company's focus on expanding managed services and SaaS offerings, along with the acquisition of 26 Talent, suggests a strategic direction aimed at improving future performance.

In conclusion, while IZEA showed revenue growth and strategic initiatives, the Q4 earnings surprise, particularly the significant loss and revenue miss, had a negative cumulative effect on the company's annual performance, leading to a substantial annual net loss and a lower annual EPS.