Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 now behind us, let’s have a look at Carriage Services (NYSE:CSV) 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 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. Stocks have faced challenges as investors prioritize 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 9.6% on average since the previous earnings results.

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, topping analyst expectations by 5.5%. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue and earnings estimates.

Carlos Quezada, Vice Chairman and CEO, stated, “We are pleased to announce our strong fourth quarter and full year 2023 results. Total revenue grew by 5.2% in the fourth quarter and 3.3% for the full year, despite the COVID “pull forward” impact resulting in modest declines in funeral contract volume experienced during the year.

Carriage Services pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The stock is down 0.4% since the results and currently trades at $24.99.

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

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, outperforming analyst expectations by 3.2%. It was a good quarter for the company, with a decent beat of analysts' revenue and EPS estimates, driven by better-than-expected performance in its cemetery segment.

The stock is up 5.3% since the results and currently trades at $71.75.

Is now the time to buy Service International? 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.

The stock is down 20% since the results and currently trades at $6.97.

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 slower quarter for the company, with a narrow miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

LKQ achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 1.3% since the results and currently trades at $51.

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

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 mixed quarter for the company, with full-year revenue guidance missing analysts' expectations. On the other hand, Frontdoor beat analysts' revenue and EPS expectations.

The stock is down 6.7% since the results and currently trades at $30.81.

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

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