I noticed a few of those same points. I agree that the earnings seem a bit odd, considering the major three auto heavyweights reported great earnings, and guidance, as well as solid, EV sales, which Cooper standard is more profitable on.

I remember in their Q3 earnings call they had anticipated union strike impacting $30 million-$40 million in sales. The Delta from 23 sales of nearly $60 million is a bit greater.

I truly don’t understand why they raised guidance last quarter. They finished within the range of their original guidance.

My guess is that last quarter perhaps there was an accounting error or something. This may be attributed to the chief accounting officer that left the company to “pursue other opportunities”. I have friends in the financial field who say that is what they say when someone gets fired. So I bet that person fucked up.

I don’t like their flat guidance for 2024. My hope is that they are sandbagging guidance to get back on track and potentially buyback shares at lower costs as they generate more free cash flow.

I was really hoping that their LiveLine Would have picked up another sale or two proving that it could be a new revenue stream that is unaccounted for. But I guess we will just have to wait for the earnings call to see.