Service Corporation's Strategic Focus: What's Driving Stability Now?

Service Corporation International’s SCI third-quarter 2025 results highlight how the company’s steady operating model continues to support performance in a mixed demand environment, with stability driven by pricing, cost control and a balanced business mix. 

SCI’s funeral segment continued to provide a steady earnings base in the third quarter despite modest pressure on services performed. Comparable core funeral services declined 3.5% year over year, partially offset by a 3% rise in the comparable core funeral average. Non-funeral home average revenue per service rose 13.4%, reflecting the benefit of pricing actions and higher-value preneed contracts maturing from the backlog. This mix-driven approach helped limit the impact of lower volumes on overall revenues and gross profit.

Cemetery operations played an important stabilizing role during the period. Comparable cemetery revenues increased nearly 7%, supported by a 9.6% rise in cemetery preneed sales production. Higher property sales, along with growth in recognized merchandise and services revenue, contributed to consistent margin performance. Cemetery gross profit increased $18 million, and operating margins expanded to 34%, underscoring the reliability of this segment’s revenue recognition profile.

Cost discipline remains a central component of SCI’s stability framework. Corporate general and administrative expenses declined year over year, while fixed costs were managed below inflation, increasing approximately 1.4% during the quarter. These efforts helped preserve operating income even as certain selling and labor costs remained elevated.

Capital allocation also supports stability. During the quarter, SCI invested $140 million across maintenance capital, cemetery development, growth projects and acquisitions, with $86 million directed toward maintaining and improving existing locations. Management reaffirmed that this balanced investment approach is designed to sustain service quality, operational efficiency and long-term consistency.

Together, these elements reflect the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s focus on maintaining steady performance through disciplined execution, diversified revenue streams and controlled spending. Shares of SCI have jumped 6.4% in the past six months compared with the industry’s growth of 5.9%.

3 Consumer Staple Stocks to Consider

United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. At present, United Natural sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for United Natural’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 1.4% and 197.2%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 52.1%, on average.

Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. At present, MAMA sports a Zacks Rank of 1. Mama's Creations delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 133.3%, on average.

The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 39.9% and 44.4%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. 

McCormick & Company, Incorporated MKC manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the food industry. It holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. McCormick delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.2%, on average. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for McCormick’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 1.6% and 2.4%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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