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 Service International (NYSE:SCI).

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. Inflation (despite slowing) has investors prioritizing near-term cash flows, and while some of the specialized consumer services stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have not been spared, with share prices declining 5.9% on average since the previous 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 $1.06 billion, up 2.7% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 3.2%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with revenue and EPS exceeding analysts' expectations, driven by better-than-expected performance in its cemetery segment. Its Funeral Services Performed also topped Wall Street's projections.

The stock is up 7.6% since the results and currently trades at $73.35.

Is now the time to buy Service International? Access our full analysis of the earnings results 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 scored 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.

LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ)

A global distributor of vehicle parts and accessories, LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) offers its customers a comprehensive selection of high-quality, affordably priced automobile products.

LKQ reported revenues of $3.50 billion, up 16.7% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.4%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' organic revenue estimates. On the other hand, EPS came in ahead of expectations.

LKQ delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 6.2% since the results and currently trades at $53.45.

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

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.

Pool had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $399.7.

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

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