Let’s dig into the relative performance of Brink's (NYSE: BCO) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q2 safety & security services earnings season.

Rising concerns over physical security, cybersecurity threats, and workplace safety regulations will present opportunities for companies in this sector. AI and digitization will enhance surveillance, access control, and threat detection, which could benefit key players in Safety & Security Services. These trends could also introduce ethical and regulatory concerns over data privacy and automated decision-making in security operations, giving rise to headline risks. Finally, increasing scrutiny on private security practices and evolving criminal justice policies again mean that companies in the space need to operate with the utmost care or risk being the poster child of abuse of power.

The 5 safety & security services stocks we track reported a very strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.9% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Brink's (NYSE: BCO)

Known for its iconic armored trucks that have been a fixture in American cities since 1859, Brink's (NYSE: BCO) provides secure transportation and management of cash and valuables for banks, retailers, and other businesses worldwide.

Brink's reported revenues of $1.30 billion, up 3.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Mark Eubanks, president and CEO, said: “I am proud of our consistent execution and the delivery of another quarter of meaningful progress against our strategic priorities. We continue to grow higher-margin subscription-based AMS / DRS revenue, expand our profit margins, improve our cash conversion and return capital to shareholders. This was clear in our strong second quarter performance which exceeded the top end of our quarterly guidance for revenue, EBITDA and EPS. We are increasing our expectations for the full-year, supported by strong operational momentum in the first-half of the year, good second-half visibility into accelerating AMS / DRS organic revenue growth, and favorable first-half currency trends."

Interestingly, the stock is up 29.3% since reporting and currently trades at $114.74.

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

Best Q2: CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW)

Originally founded in 1983 as the first private prison company in the United States, CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW) operates correctional facilities, detention centers, and residential reentry programs for government agencies across the United States.

CoreCivic reported revenues of $538.2 million, up 9.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.6%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

CoreCivic pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $19.67.

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

Weakest Q2: GEO Group (NYSE: GEO)

With a global footprint spanning three continents and approximately 81,000 beds across 100 facilities, GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) operates secure facilities, processing centers, and reentry services for government agencies in the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

GEO Group reported revenues of $636.2 million, up 4.8% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.

GEO Group delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 20.1% since the results and currently trades at $20.63.

Read our full analysis of GEO Group’s results here.

MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA)

Founded in 1914 as Mine Safety Appliances to protect coal miners from dangerous gases, MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA) designs and manufactures advanced safety products that protect workers and facilities across industries including fire service, energy, construction, and manufacturing.

MSA Safety reported revenues of $474.1 million, up 2.5% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 5.9%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

MSA Safety had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 3.9% since reporting and currently trades at $170.46.

Read our full, actionable report on MSA Safety here, it’s free.

Brady (NYSE: BRC)

Founded in 1914 and evolving through more than a century of industrial innovation, Brady (NYSE: BRC) manufactures and supplies identification solutions and workplace safety products that help companies identify and protect their premises, products, and people.

Brady reported revenues of $397.3 million, up 15.7% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Brady delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 5.3% since reporting and currently trades at $81.96.

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

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.

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