As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the consumer discretionary - specialized consumer services industry, including Matthews (NASDAQ: MATW) and its peers.

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 7.7% since the latest earnings results.

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 print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Matthews delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 7.4% since reporting and currently trades at $24.47.

Is now the time to buy Matthews? 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 18.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $3.28.

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 19.3% since the results and currently trades at $206.04.

Read our full analysis of Pool’s results here.

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 result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a decent beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Carriage Services scored the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 4.8% since reporting and currently trades at $41.96.

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

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB)

Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W. Bloch and Richard A. Bloch, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is a tax preparation company offering professional tax assistance and financial solutions to individuals and small businesses.

H&R Block reported revenues of $198.9 million, up 11.1% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 7.4%. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

H&R Block pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 18.1% since reporting and currently trades at $30.46.

Read our full, actionable report on H&R Block here, it’s free.

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