Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the specialized consumer services stocks, including Service International (NYSE:SCI) and its peers.

Some consumer discretionary companies don’t fall neatly into a category because their products or services are unique. Although their offerings may be niche, these companies have often found more efficient or technology-enabled ways of doing or selling something that has existed for a while. Technology can be a double-edged sword, though, as it may lower the barriers to entry for new competitors and allow them to do serve customers better.

The 11 specialized consumer services stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2% below.

Luckily, specialized consumer services stocks have performed well with share prices up 10.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Service International (NYSE:SCI)

Founded in 1962, Service International (NYSE: SCI) is a leading provider of death care products and services in North America.

Service International reported revenues of $1.01 billion, up 1.2% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ Funeral revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 13.7% since reporting and currently trades at $86.55.

Read our full report on Service International here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Matthews (NASDAQ:MATW)

Originally a death care company, Matthews International (NASDAQ:MATW) is a diversified company offering ceremonial services, brand solutions and industrial technologies.

Matthews reported revenues of $446.7 million, down 7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 15.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $29.50.

Is now the time to buy Matthews? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q3: 1-800-FLOWERS (NASDAQ:FLWS)

Founded in 1976, 1-800-FLOWERS (NASDAQ:FLWS) is an online retailer of flowers, gifts, and gourmet foods, serving customers globally.

1-800-FLOWERS reported revenues of $242.1 million, down 10% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.9% since the results and currently trades at $8.30.

Read our full analysis of 1-800-FLOWERS’s results here.

Mister Car Wash (NYSE:MCW)

Formerly known as Hotshine Holdings, Mister Car Wash (NYSE:MCW) offers car washes across the United States through its conveyorized service.

Mister Car Wash reported revenues of $249.3 million, up 6.5% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

The stock is up 16.9% since reporting and currently trades at $7.80.

Read our full, actionable report on Mister Car Wash here, it’s free.

Carriage Services (NYSE:CSV)

Established in 1991, Carriage Services (NYSE:CSV) is a provider of funeral and cemetery services in the United States.

Carriage Services reported revenues of $100.7 million, up 11.3% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 8.1%. It was a very strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Carriage Services delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 21.7% since reporting and currently trades at $39.75.

Read our full, actionable report on Carriage Services here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), has fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty heading into 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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