How did K's Q4 earnings surprise investors?

Kellanova's (NYSE: K) Q4 2024 earnings report exceeded investor expectations in several key aspects, leading to a positive market reaction:

1. **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**:
- Kellanova reported an EPS of $1.04 for Q4 2024, which significantly surpassed the estimated EPS of $0.84.
- This beat was due to higher operating profit margins and effective cost management.
2. **Revenue**:
- The company’s revenue for Q4 2024 was $3,124 million, slightly surpassing the estimated $3,102.28 million.
- Despite a 1.6% year-over-year decline due to adverse currency impacts, Kellanova managed to exceed revenue expectations.
3. **Analyst Expectations**:
- Analysts had anticipated an EPS of $0.82 for Q4 2024, with a consensus range of $0.82 to $0.90.
- Kellanova’s reported EPS exceeded these expectations by approximately 27%.
4. **Market Reaction**:
- Following the earnings release, Kellanova's stock price increased by 3.92%.
- This rise reflected investor confidence and optimism about the company's performance and future prospects.

Overall, Kellanova's Q4 2024 earnings report demonstrated strong financial performance, particularly in terms of EPS and revenue, which contributed to a positive market response.