Let’s dig into the relative performance of Carriage Services (NYSE: CSV) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 specialized consumer services earnings season.
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 mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.5% below.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 14.2% since the latest earnings results.
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 $97.7 million, down 1.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.
Carlos Quezada, Vice Chairman and CEO, stated, “We are thrilled to announce that our strategic execution at every level has delivered outstanding financial results for the full year 2024. While the fourth quarter saw reduced funeral home revenue—primarily due to tough year-over-year comparisons and the lower volumes we began experiencing in October—our overall performance remained strong.
Carriage Services delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. The stock is down 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $38.38.
Read our full report on Carriage Services here, it’s free.
Best Q4: Frontdoor (NASDAQ: FTDR)
Established in 2018 as a spin-off from ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Frontdoor (NASDAQ: FTDR) is a provider of home warranty and service plans.
Frontdoor reported revenues of $383 million, up 4.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.1%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Frontdoor pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 31.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $39.09.
Is now the time to buy Frontdoor? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q4: 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 $775.5 million, down 5.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
As expected, the stock is down 29.3% since the results and currently trades at $6.23.
Read our full analysis of 1-800-FLOWERS’s results here.
H&R Block (NYSE: HRB)
Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W. Bloch and Richard A. Bloch, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a tax preparation company offering professional tax assistance and financial solutions to individuals and small businesses.
H&R Block reported revenues of $179.1 million, flat year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. More broadly, it was a slower quarter as it logged a miss of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.
The stock is down 8.5% since reporting and currently trades at $49.80.
Read our full, actionable report on H&R Block here, it’s free.
WeightWatchers (NASDAQ: WW)
Known by many for its old cable television commercials, WeightWatchers (NASDAQ: WW) is a wellness company offering a range of products and services promoting weight loss and healthy habits.
WeightWatchers reported revenues of $184.4 million, down 10.5% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 5%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
WeightWatchers achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 31.8% since reporting and currently trades at $0.54.
Read our full, actionable report on WeightWatchers here, it’s free.
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