How did Littelfuse's revenue and expenses trend in Q4 2024?

**Littelfuse's revenue for Q4 2024 was $529.51 million**, reflecting a decline from the previous year's $567 million, a decrease of approximately 7% year-over-year. Despite the revenue decline, the company maintained a robust free cash flow of $65 million for the quarter, indicating strong financial performance despite challenging market conditions.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|Total Revenue|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|LFUS|LFUS.O|Littelfuse|2024 Q1|-12.200589718948738|5.35385E8|185|
|LFUS|LFUS.O|Littelfuse|2024 Q2|-8.743180113628007|5.58489E8|185|
|LFUS|LFUS.O|Littelfuse|2024 Q3|-6.536467727827552|5.6739E8|185|
|LFUS|LFUS.O|Littelfuse|2024 Q4|-0.8059092518457045|5.29505E8|185|

The company's adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 310 basis points sequentially, reaching 21.7%, and the adjusted operating margin stood at 15.9%, demonstrating Littelfuse's focus on cost reduction and operational excellence. However, the GAAP operating margin was slightly lower at 15.5%, which may indicate room for further optimization.

Littelfuse's strategic initiatives, such as product line pruning, have contributed to the anticipated sequential decline in fourth-quarter sales, which are projected to be between $510 million and $540 million. This guidance reflects a modest reduction in full-year sales, primarily due to the pruning of less profitable product lines rather than a downturn in demand across all segments.

In summary, while Littelfuse faced challenges in Q4 2024, including a decline in revenue and cautious customer ordering patterns, the company's financial performance was bolstered by strong free cash flow and margin improvements. The company's strategic adjustments are expected to position it well for long-term growth despite the short-term sales guidance reduction.