Service (SCI) | News Based Sentiment Analysis

• On October 4, 2025, Service Corporation International (SCI) saw its stock price increase by $0.62, or 0.8%, closing at $83.80 with a trading volume of 908,062 shares – a positive move reflecting recent analyst sentiment. This uptick follows a 6.1% return over the past month (as of October 3, 2025), suggesting growing investor confidence.
• Analysts currently offer a "Moderate Buy" rating on SCI, with an average price target of $90.25, representing a potential 7.72% upside from the October 2, 2025 closing price of $83.18. However, it's worth noting that only two research reports were published in the last 90 days, indicating limited recent coverage.
• Looking ahead to October 29, 2025, SCI is expected to release its next quarterly earnings report, with analysts anticipating $0.83 per share – a 5.06% year-over-year increase. The previous quarter exceeded estimates by $0.04, demonstrating a pattern of positive surprises, though the previous EPS was $0.88.
• Insider selling activity was observed in August, with Tony Coelho selling 7,850 shares on August 11th and Ellen Ochoa selling 2,514 shares on August 26th. Total insider sales over the last three months reached $20,117,233 across 252,082 shares, which could raise some concerns among investors.
• Institutional investors have shown varied activity; GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings by 429 shares, while SG Americas Securities LLC established a new position worth approximately $869,000 in Q1. Principal Financial Group Inc. also increased its holdings, indicating continued institutional interest.
• SCI continues to return value to shareholders, having paid a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share on September 30, 2025, with a record date of September 15, 2025. This translates to an annualized dividend yield of 1.5% and a payout ratio of 34.69%.

The Investment Story: SCI is demonstrating steady performance with a recent stock price increase, positive analyst ratings, and consistent dividend payouts, though insider selling warrants attention. The upcoming earnings release on October 29, 2025, will be a key catalyst for the stock's future trajectory.

What It Means for Investors: The combination of moderate growth expectations, institutional interest, and shareholder returns suggests a stable, albeit not explosive, investment opportunity. Investors should monitor the earnings report and insider activity for potential shifts in the company's outlook.

Looking Ahead: Investors should closely watch the October 29, 2025 earnings release and any further insider trading activity. Continued institutional investment and positive earnings surprises will be crucial for maintaining the current positive momentum.

The Bottom Line: Service Corporation International appears to be a reasonably attractive investment for those seeking stable returns and dividend income, but investors should remain aware of insider selling and closely monitor upcoming earnings reports for a clearer picture of the company's future prospects.