Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the specialized consumer services stocks, including 1-800-FLOWERS (NASDAQ: FLWS) 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 Q3. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 19.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% below.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8% since the latest earnings results.

Slowest Q3: 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 $215.2 million, down 11.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

“Fiscal 2026 marks a pivotal year of stabilization for 1-800-Flowers.com, as we lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth. We are already seeing early benefits from our turnaround strategy, including improved marketing efficiency, enhanced customer focus, and expanded reach into new channels. Welcoming new talent and streamlining our operations have positioned us to execute with greater agility and accountability. While there is much more work ahead and some challenges to navigate, I am encouraged by the momentum building across the enterprise and am confident in our team’s ability to deliver improved results over time,” said Adolfo Villagomez, Chief Executive Officer.

The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $3.42.

Read our full report on 1-800-FLOWERS here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: 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 $203.6 million, up 5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. The business had a strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

H&R Block delivered the 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 17.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $42.31.

Is now the time to buy H&R Block? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

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 1.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. It was a mixed quarter as it posted an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates but full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

As expected, the stock is down 1.9% since the results and currently trades at $29.48.

Read our full analysis of LKQ’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 $102.7 million, up 2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but full-year EBITDA guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 2% since reporting and currently trades at $42.71.

Read our full, actionable report on Carriage Services here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Mister Car Wash (NASDAQ: 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 $263.4 million, up 5.7% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

The stock is up 2.1% since reporting and currently trades at $5.31.

Read our full, actionable report on Mister Car Wash here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

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