How did NPK's revenue and expenses perform in Q4 2024?

**National Presto Industries (NPK) saw an increase in revenue and improvements in profitability in Q4 2024**, as evidenced by the following key points:

1. **Revenue Performance**:
- NPK's total revenue for Q4 2024 was $134.69 million.
- This represents a notable increase from the previous year, where revenue was $83.14 million for the same quarter.
- The growth in revenue is attributed to higher shipments in both the Housewares/Small Appliance and Defense segments.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|Total Revenue|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|NPK|NPK.N|National Presto Industries|2024 Q1|-4.671118904600231|7.6653E7|169|
|NPK|NPK.N|National Presto Industries|2024 Q2|7.744534238593468|8.506E7|169|
|NPK|NPK.N|National Presto Industries|2024 Q3|10.442501292984208|9.1823E7|169|
|NPK|NPK.N|National Presto Industries|2024 Q4|36.85986018533572|1.34692E8|169|

2. **Expense Management**:
- NPK reported an increase in gross profit for the quarter, which was $17,223,000 compared to $15,399,000 in the previous year.
- Selling and general expenses decreased to $7,621,000 from $7,904,000, primarily due to reduced personnel and legal costs in the Safety segment.
- Net earnings for the quarter were $8,083,000, up from $7,019,000 in the same quarter of the previous year.
3. **Cash Flow and Working Capital**:
- Cash used in operating activities was $45,793,000, while cash provided by investing activities was $5,981,000.
- Cash used in financing activities was $31,516,000, primarily due to dividend payments.
- The company had a working capital of $278,483,000 as of September 29, 2024.
4. **Institutional Activity and Analyst Ratings**:
- Institutional investors have shown interest, with International Assets Investment Management LLC growing its holdings by 7,414.0% in the 3rd quarter.
- National Presto Industries has received a "buy" rating from StockNews.com, indicating positive market sentiment.

In conclusion, NPK's Q4 2024 financial performance demonstrates robust growth in revenue and a strengthening of the bottom line, despite increased expenses. The company's strategic cost management and operational efficiencies have contributed to improved net earnings and cash flows.