How did PRKS's Q4 earnings surprise investors?

**United Parks & Resorts Inc.'s (PRKS) Q4 earnings did not entirely meet investor expectations**, as evidenced by the following details:

1. **Revenue Performance**: While PRKS beat Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q4 CY2024, sales fell by 1.2% year-on-year to $384.4 million. This slight decline might have been a surprise to some investors who were expecting higher revenue growth.
2. **Earnings Per Share (EPS) Shortfall**: The company's GAAP profit of $0.50 per share was 21% below analysts' consensus estimates. This indicates that investors were expecting a higher EPS, which was not met. According to Zacks Consensus Estimate, the company was expected to report earnings of $0.62 per share, but it reported $0.50.

3. **Analyst Ratings and Price Targets**: Despite the earnings shortfall, analysts have maintained a 'Strong Buy' consensus rating on the stock with an average price target of $60.43. This suggests that analysts are optimistic about the company's future performance, potentially viewing the current dip as a buying opportunity.

In conclusion, while PRKS's Q4 earnings report highlighted the challenges faced by the company, including decreased sales and lower-than-expected EPS, the 'Strong Buy' analyst consensus and above-average price target indicate that investors are not entirely discouraged and are hopeful about the company's prospects.