The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how the specialized consumer services stocks have fared in Q4, starting with Pool (NASDAQ:POOL).

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 8 specialized consumer services stocks we track reported a slower Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 0.9% while next quarter's revenue guidance was 4.6% below consensus. Investors abandoned cash-burning companies to buy stocks with higher margins of safety, and while some of the specialized consumer services stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have not been spared, with share prices declining 7.7% on average since the previous earnings results.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL)

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Louisiana, Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) is one of the largest wholesale distributors of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products.

Pool reported revenues of $1.00 billion, down 8.5% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 1.6%. It was a weaker quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

“After a challenging start, we achieved our second highest annual sales in company history of $5.5 billion against a backdrop of unfavorable weather in the first half of the year that delayed pool openings and a slowdown in new pool construction as the housing market came to grips with elevated interest rates...” commented Peter D. Arvan, president and CEO.

Pool delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The stock is up 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $399.7.

Read our full report on Pool here, it's free.

Best Q4: 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 $98.83 million, up 5.2% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 5.5%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue and earnings estimates.

Carriage Services achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is up 5.7% since the results and currently trades at $26.52.

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

Weakest Q4: 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 $230.1 million, up 7.4% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.1%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year. Mister Car Wash slightly topped analysts' EPS expectations during the quarter despite a same store sales and revenue miss.

The stock is down 13.1% since the results and currently trades at $7.57.

Read our full analysis of Mister Car Wash's results here.

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 $366 million, up 8% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 1.8%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with revenue guidance for the next quarter and full-year missing analysts' expectations.

The stock is down 3.7% since the results and currently trades at $31.81.

Read our full, actionable report on Frontdoor here, it's free.

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 $822.1 million, down 8.4% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.5%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' earnings and revenue estimates.

The stock is up 1.4% since the results and currently trades at $10.51.

Read our full, actionable report on 1-800-FLOWERS here, it's free.

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