Liberty Global PLC (LBTYA) stock surged 5.59% in the after-hours trading session on Tuesday, following the release of its impressive fourth quarter and full-year 2024 financial results.
The company reported a significant swing to earnings of $6.11 per diluted share in Q4 2024, compared to a loss of $8.92 per share in the same period a year earlier. While revenue for the quarter came in lower than analysts' expectations at $1.12 billion, it still marked a year-over-year increase from $1.02 billion.
Highlights from Liberty Global's Q4 and FY 2024 results include:
- Achieved all full-year guidance targets at its subsidiaries Telenet and VMO2, while VodafoneZiggo delivered stable revenue and met other metrics
- Ended the year with a $2.2 billion cash balance, supported by $900 million in non-core asset disposals, with plans to target a further $500 million to $750 million in 2025
- Successfully completed the spin-off of its Swiss subsidiary Sunrise, representing a CHF 3.0 billion tax-free dividend to shareholders
- Record year for shareholder remuneration, supported by a $700 million share buyback in 2024 and plans for a further buyback program of up to 10% of shares outstanding in 2025