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As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the specialized consumer services industry, including Service International (NYSE:SCI) 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 11 specialized consumer services stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.5% below.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.5% since the latest 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 $1.09 billion, up 3.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts’ funeral services performed estimates.
The stock is up 4.6% since reporting and currently trades at $79.40.
Read our full report on Service International here, it’s free.
Best Q4: 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 $383 million, up 4.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.1%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.
Frontdoor achieved the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 31.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $38.92.
Is now the time to buy Frontdoor? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q4: 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 $775.5 million, down 5.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations.