GET DAILY SIGNALSCarriage Services (CSV) Reports Q3 Revenue Miss and Cuts Full-Year Guidance
Key Takeaways
- Total revenue came in at $100.3 million, down 2.4% year over year and below analysts' consensus estimate of roughly $109.5 million.
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.59, down from $0.75 a year earlier and below the roughly $0.79 consensus estimate.
- GAAP net income rose 35.2% to $8.9 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, helped by a favorable swing in divestiture gains and impairment charges.
- Management lowered full-year 2026 guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), and adjusted EPS.
- Funeral contract volume grew 2.5%, while cemetery comparable revenue declined 7.8% on weaker preneed sales production.
- The company closed a new $300 million credit facility and has acquisitions under contract representing more than $14 million in annual revenue.
Why These Results Matter
Carriage Services operates 155 funeral homes and 28 cemeteries, making it a key player in the deathcare space. Its performance often mirrors broader mortality trends and shifts in how families plan and pay for services. The third quarter ended September 30, 2026, came at a time when the company had already been dealing with softer-than-expected death rates, slower advance cemetery sales, and delays in its acquisition plans. This report gave a clearer picture of whether those pressures were easing or persisting, and the updated outlook provides a useful frame for what management expects through the rest of the year.
Quarterly Performance Breakdown
For the third quarter, Carriage Services posted total revenue of $100.3 million, a 2.4% drop from $102.7 million in the same period last year and short of the roughly $109.5 million analysts had projected. Adjusted diluted EPS declined to $0.59 from $0.75, missing the consensus near $0.79. On a GAAP basis, net income climbed 35.2% to $8.9 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared with $6.6 million, or $0.41, a year ago, largely due to swings in divestiture gains and impairment charges.
Funeral contract volume rose 2.5%, and average revenue per contract increased 1.9% to $5,930. Cemetery comparable revenue, however, fell 7.8% amid weaker preneed sales. Adjusted consolidated EBITDA slipped to $27.7 million from $33.0 million, with the margin contracting to 27.6% from 32.1%. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how the stock compares to others in the industry. Management trimmed its full-year targets, pointing to lower mortality, softer cemetery preneed results, trust taxes linked to investment sales, and shifts in acquisition timing.
Market Reaction
Shares of Carriage Services dropped about 12.1% to near $31.66 in after-hours trading. The move reflected both the revenue and adjusted EPS shortfalls and, more significantly, the reduced full-year outlook. Guidance cuts in this sector often weigh on sentiment because they suggest that headwinds around mortality and cemetery sales could linger longer than first anticipated. The funeral volume improvement was not enough to offset worries about the cemetery segment and a softer earnings path for the balance of 2026.
What to Watch Going Forward
Investors will want to see whether funeral volume gains hold into the fourth quarter and if cemetery preneed sales begin to stabilize. Management linked part of the guidance reduction to lower mortality in the first half, a trend that could continue to affect volume-driven revenue. A recovery in preneed interment rights sales would signal improving momentum in the cemetery business.
The revised full-year targets are also worth monitoring. Management now expects revenue of $415 million to $420 million, adjusted consolidated EBITDA of $125 million to $130 million, and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.90 to $3.05. Adjusted free cash flow guidance was tightened to $40 million to $45 million. Finally, the acquisition pipeline deserves attention. Carriage Services has deals under contract or letter of intent representing more than $14 million in annual revenue, with closings expected later in 2026 and into early 2027. Combined with the new $300 million credit facility, successful execution could support a stronger growth story into 2027. I reviewed comparable names with Tickeron’s AI Daily Buy/Sell Signals to gauge relative strength in the sector.
Using AI Tools in My Research
When I want to compare performance across the deathcare group or spot emerging patterns in names like this, Tickeron’s AI Screener gives me a fast way to apply technical and fundamental filters. It helps surface peers and momentum shifts without manual scanning, which keeps my process efficient when reviewing quarterly updates or building watch lists.
Disclaimer
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Contributor
Sergey Savastiouk, Ph.D. has a degree in Applied Mathematics from Moscow University and has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, investor, manager, and mathematician. His professional expertise is in applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, system and pattern analysis, and software and hardware system integration. He has served as the CEO of several hi-tech start-up companies and nonprofit organizations, which has given him proven capabilities in business strategy for high-tech start-up companies, market assessment, company formation, team building, product development, marketing, and sales. He has published numerous articles in journals and magazines on related fields. As a retail investor, he spent 15 years developing his proprietary trading and quantitative algorithms (now Tickeron’s A.I.), which brought him significant returns in trading the stock market. His current work and goal in founding Tickeron is to bring professional, sophisticated stock market analysis capabilities to retail investors via an easy-to-use interface.
CSV's RSI Indicator peaks and leaves overbought zone
The 10-day RSI Oscillator for CSV moved out of overbought territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 33 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In 25 of the 33 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at 76%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for CSV turned negative on October 30, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 32 of the 46 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 70%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CSV declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 67%.
CSV broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 36 of 56 cases where CSV's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 04, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on CSV as a result. In 50 of 81 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
CSV moved above its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for CSV crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
Following a +3.79% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CSV advanced for three days, in 178 of 293 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 121 of 208 cases where CSV Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 58%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 48 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.045) is normal, around the industry mean (8.053). P/E Ratio (12.714) is within average values for comparable stocks, (10.767). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.568) is also within normal values, averaging (4.440). Dividend Yield (0.013) settles around the average of (0.076) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.209) is also within normal values, averaging (1.645).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 51 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 59 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. CSV’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. CSV’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock worse than average.
Industry description
Market Cap
High and low price notable news
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Fundamental Analysis Ratings
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
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General Information
a provider of funeral and cemetery services
Industry PersonnelServices
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