As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at specialized consumer services stocks, starting with WW (NASDAQ:WW).

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 8.9% on average since the previous earnings results.

WW (NASDAQ:WW)

Formerly known as Weight Watchers, WW (NASDAQ:WW) is a wellness company offering a range of products and services promoting weight loss and healthy habits.

WW reported revenues of $206 million, down 7.6% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.5%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with full-year revenue guidance missing analysts' expectations.

“2023 was a pivotal year as we began transforming our business for the future. We returned WeightWatchers to year end subscriber growth – for the first time in 3 years - up 7% year-over-year,” said Sima Sistani, the Company’s CEO.

WW delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. The stock is down 51.7% since the results and currently trades at $1.84.

Read our full report on WW 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 1.6% since the results and currently trades at $25.5.

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 revenue guidance for the full year.

The stock is down 19.2% since the results and currently trades at $7.04.

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

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 down 10.4% since the results and currently trades at $9.29.

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

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 pulled off the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 3.3% since the results and currently trades at $52.

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

Join Paid Stock Investor Research

Help us make StockStory more helpful to investors like yourself. Join our paid user research session and receive a $50 Amazon gift card for your opinions. Sign up here.