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 consumer discretionary - specialized consumer services stocks fared in Q4, starting with Frontdoor (NASDAQ: FTDR).

The Consumer Discretionary sector, by definition, is made up of companies selling non-essential goods and services. When economic conditions deteriorate or tastes shift, consumers can easily cut back or eliminate these purchases. For long-term investors with five-year holding periods, this creates a structural challenge: the sector is inherently hit-driven, with low switching costs and fickle customers. As a result, only a handful of companies can reliably grow demand and compound earnings over long periods, which is why our bar is high and High Quality ratings are rare. 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 10 consumer discretionary - specialized consumer services stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.1% 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 $433 million, up 13.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but full-year revenue guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

Frontdoor scored the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 13.6% since reporting and currently trades at $63.98.

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

Best 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 $702.2 million, down 9.5% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had a strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 18.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $3.30.

Is now the time to buy 1-800-FLOWERS? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: 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 $982.2 million, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Pool delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 17.6% since the results and currently trades at $210.28.

Read our full analysis of Pool’s results here.

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 $284.8 million, down 29.1% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Matthews had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 2.6% since reporting and currently trades at $25.74.

Read our full, actionable report on Matthews here, it’s free.

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 $105.5 million, up 8% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Carriage Services pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 2.9% since reporting and currently trades at $42.80.

Read our full, actionable report on Carriage Services here, it’s free.

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