Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) and its peers.

Household products stocks are generally stable investments, as many of the industry's products are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Recently, there's been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable offerings, reflecting the evolving consumer preferences for environmentally conscious options. These trends can be double-edged swords that benefit companies who innovate quickly to take advantage of them and hurt companies that don't invest enough to meet consumers where they want to be with regards to trends.

The 10 household products stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.8% above.

Luckily, household products stocks have performed well with share prices up 12.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT)

Enhancing the lives of both pets and homeowners, Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) is a leading producer and distributor of essential products for pet care, lawn and garden maintenance, and pest control.

Central Garden & Pet reported revenues of $617.4 million, down 6% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

We delivered a solid start to the fiscal year, with disciplined execution across the business, particularly when measured against a strong prior-year first quarter,” said Niko Lahanas, CEO of Central Garden & Pet.

Central Garden & Pet delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 13.6% since reporting and currently trades at $39.88.

Read our full report on Central Garden & Pet here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB)

A leader in multiple consumer product categories, Spectrum Brands (NYSE: SPB) is a diversified company with a portfolio of trusted brands spanning home appliances, garden care, personal care, and pet care.

Spectrum Brands reported revenues of $677 million, down 3.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 14.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $78.21.

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

Weakest Q4: WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC)

Short for “Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try”, WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC) is a renowned American consumer goods company known for its iconic and versatile spray, WD-40 Multi-Use Product.

WD-40 reported revenues of $154.4 million, flat year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 20.3% since the results and currently trades at $244.90.

Read our full analysis of WD-40’s results here.

Kimberly-Clark (NASDAQ: KMB)

Originally founded as a Wisconsin paper mill in 1872, Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) is now a household products powerhouse known for personal care and tissue products.

Kimberly-Clark reported revenues of $4.08 billion, flat year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 9.8% since reporting and currently trades at $111.03.

Read our full, actionable report on Kimberly-Clark here, it’s free.

Clorox (NYSE: CLX)

Founded in 1913 with bleach as the sole product offering, Clorox (NYSE: CLX) today is a consumer products giant whose product portfolio spans everything from bleach to skincare to salad dressing to kitty litter.

Clorox reported revenues of $1.67 billion, flat year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 10.3% since reporting and currently trades at $126.81.

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

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.