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 business services & supplies stocks fared in Q4, starting with HNI (NYSE: HNI).

This is a sector that encompasses many types of business, and so it follows that a number of trends will impact the space. For industrial and environmental services companies, for example, trends around environmental compliance and increasing corporate ESG commitments matter while for safety and security services companies, the intersection of physical security, cybersecurity, and workplace safety regulations are the topics du jour. Broadly, AI and automation could be tailwinds for companies in the space that invest wisely. On the other hand, shifting regulatory frameworks could force continual changes in go-to-market and costly investments.

The 18 business services & supplies stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

HNI (NYSE: HNI)

With roots dating back to 1944 and a significant acquisition of Kimball International in 2023, HNI (NYSE: HNI) manufactures and sells office furniture systems, seating, and storage solutions, as well as residential fireplaces and heating products.

HNI reported revenues of $888.4 million, up 38.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 24.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

HNI scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 1.3% since reporting and currently trades at $44.73.

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

Best Q4: CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW)

Originally founded in 1983 as the first private prison company in the United States, CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW) operates correctional facilities, detention centers, and residential reentry programs for government agencies across the United States.

CoreCivic reported revenues of $604 million, up 26% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 1.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $18.25.

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

Weakest Q4: Copart (NASDAQ: CPRT)

Starting as a single salvage yard in California in 1982, Copart (NASDAQ: CPRT) operates an online auction platform that connects sellers of damaged and salvage vehicles with buyers ranging from dismantlers and rebuilders to used car dealers and exporters.

Copart reported revenues of $1.12 billion, down 3.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Copart delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 1.5% since the results and currently trades at $38.22.

Read our full analysis of Copart’s results here.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI)

Born from the company that invented the first portable handheld police radio in 1940, Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) provides mission-critical communications, video security, and command center software solutions for public safety agencies and enterprise customers.

Motorola Solutions reported revenues of $3.38 billion, up 12.3% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 13.5% since reporting and currently trades at $477.82.

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

MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA)

Founded in 1914 as Mine Safety Appliances to protect coal miners from dangerous gases, MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA) designs and manufactures advanced safety products that protect workers and facilities across industries including fire service, energy, construction, and manufacturing.

MSA Safety reported revenues of $510.9 million, up 2.2% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $198.16.

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

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