Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q2 behind us, let’s have a look at Frontdoor (NASDAQ:FTDR) 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 9 specialized consumer services stocks we track reported a weaker Q2. As a group, revenues missed analysts' consensus estimates by 0.8% while next quarter's revenue guidance was in line.

Stocks, especially growth stocks with cash flows further into the future, had a good end of 2023. On the other hand, this year has seen more volatile stock market swings due to mixed inflation data, and specialized consumer services stocks have had a rough stretch. On average, share prices are down 7.4% since the latest earnings results.

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 $542 million, up 3.6% year on year. This print was in line with analysts' expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts' earnings estimates but a miss of analysts' home service plans estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 13.5% since reporting and currently trades at $44.83.

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

Best Q2: 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 $102.3 million, up 4.8% year on year, outperforming analysts' expectations by 7.7%. It was a strong quarter for the company with full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts' expectations.

Carriage Services achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $30.01.

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

Weakest Q2: Matthews (NASDAQ:MATW)

Originally a death care company, Matthews International (NASDAQ:MATW) is a diversified company offering ceremonial services, brand solutions and industrial technologies.

Matthews reported revenues of $427.8 million, down 10.9% year on year, falling short of analysts' expectations by 10%. It was a weak quarter for the company with a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.

Matthews posted the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 5.9% since the results and currently trades at $26.40.

Read our full analysis of Matthews's results here.

ADT (NYSE:ADT)

Founded in 1874 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT (NYSE:ADT) is a provider of security, automation, and smart home solutions, offering comprehensive services for home and business protection.

ADT reported revenues of $1.20 billion, up 3.1% year on year, in line with analysts' expectations. Revenue aside, it was a solid quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates and in-line earnings guidance for the full year.

The stock is down 7.3% since reporting and currently trades at $7.21.

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

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 $255 million, up 7.7% year on year, in line with analysts' expectations. Zooming out, it was a decent quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates but underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year.

Mister Car Wash scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 12% since reporting and currently trades at $6.70.

Read our full, actionable report on Mister Car Wash here, it's free.

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