What Happened?

Shares of funeral services company Carriage Services (NYSE: CSV) fell 2.9% in the afternoon session after a confluence of negative economic data pointed to a weak economy. The latest Survey of Consumer Expectations from the New York Fed revealed that households' short-term inflation expectations are rising, while their outlook on the labor market is deteriorating. Consumers expressed greater concern about potential job losses and expect lower earnings growth, factors that directly impact discretionary spending. 

Adding to the unease, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, Mark Zandi, warned that 22 states are already showing clear signs of a recession, placing the broader U.S. economy in a precarious position. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown further dampens sentiment, threatening to weigh on incomes and purchasing power.

The shares closed the day at $45.87, down 3% from previous close.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks. Is now the time to buy Carriage Services? Access our full analysis report here.

What Is The Market Telling Us

Carriage Services’s shares are not very volatile and have only had 2 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The previous big move we wrote about was 5 days ago when the stock gained 6% on the news that Raymond James initiated coverage on the company with an "Outperform" rating and a $60 price target. 

The new rating from the analyst firm indicated a belief that the stock would perform well. The $60 price target suggested significant potential for growth from where the stock previously traded. The firm viewed Carriage Services as a turnaround opportunity under new management, with profit growth expected to pick up pace. Analysts also noted that the funeral service provider's stock was trading at a lower value compared to its larger competitor, suggesting this gap could narrow if the company delivered consistent quarterly results.

Carriage Services is up 17.6% since the beginning of the year, and at $45.87 per share, it is trading close to its 52-week high of $48.29 from August 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Carriage Services’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,946.

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