sci stock: SCI (Service Corporation International)
SCI (Service Corporation International) — Stock
Brief summary
sci stock refers to the NYSE-listed ticker for Service Corporation International (SCI), one of the largest U.S. providers of deathcare services. SCI operates funeral homes, cemeteries and related services under national and regional consumer brands. Investors in sci stock typically consider the company’s exposure to demographic trends, recurring revenue from interment rights and service fees, dividend policy, valuation versus peers, and leverage. This article provides a comprehensive, beginner-friendly overview of SCI’s company profile, history, segments, financials, market information, ownership, valuation, risks, governance, strategy and trading considerations.
As of Jan 21, 2024, according to Reuters and market reports, macro and market volatility affected many equities; readers should verify the latest quotes and filings for up-to-date sci stock pricing and formal guidance.
Company overview
Service Corporation International (SCI) is a large-cap U.S. corporate operator in the deathcare industry. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, SCI’s core businesses include funeral services and cemetery operations. The company serves consumers across the United States and Canada through a combination of company-owned properties and brand franchises/affiliates.
Key consumer-facing brands historically associated with SCI include Dignity Memorial, Neptune Society, National Cremation Society and other local brand names operated under the corporate umbrella. The company’s scale includes thousands of employees and a network of funeral homes, cemeteries and cremation facilities across many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. SCI’s business model mixes near-term service revenue (arrangements, merchandise, cremations) with long-term cemetery assets and pre-need contracts that provide multi-year cash flow visibility.
Investors in sci stock watch the company’s geographic footprint, brand recognition, employee base, and its ability to integrate acquisitions to deliver consistent service and cash flow.
Corporate history
Founding and early growth
SCI was founded in 1962. In its formative years the company pursued an acquisition-led growth model, consolidating small local funeral homes and cemetery operators into a national platform. This strategy sought economies of scale in procurement, centralized management, and a branded consumer experience.
Early growth periods focused on expanding the network of locations, standardizing service quality and building a recognizable consumer brand while introducing corporate-level systems for operations, finance and marketing.
Major acquisitions and expansion
Over decades SCI expanded through material acquisitions that broadened its funeral and cemetery footprint and diversified its brand portfolio. The company historically completed transactions to acquire regional funeral home chains, cemetery portfolios, cremation specialists and complementary service providers. These acquisitions increased SCI’s market share in key metropolitan and suburban markets and contributed to recurring revenue streams from cemetery interment rights and pre-need plans.
The roll-up strategy allowed SCI to centralize back-office functions, negotiate better merchandise and services pricing, and cross-sell cremation, memorial products, and pre-need arrangements to a broader customer base.
Recent milestones
In recent years SCI undertook operational and strategic initiatives such as optimizing pricing and service mix, integrating acquired businesses, investing in digital consumer channels for arrangement planning, and adjusting capital allocation between M&A, dividends and debt paydown.
As of Jan 21, 2024, market commentary and filings indicated management continued to focus on margin improvement, leveraging scale and refining pre-need funding policies. For time-sensitive events (leadership changes, large acquisitions, or material legal outcomes), readers should check SCI’s investor relations releases and SEC filings for the latest verified updates.
Business segments and operations
SCI organizes its operations into core segments that reflect how it generates revenue and cash flow.
Funeral segment
The funeral segment covers the delivery of traditional funeral services and related offerings. Typical services include consultation and arrangement planning, transportation, embalming, visitation and funeral ceremonies, cremation services (arranged or direct), and merchandise (caskets, urns, memorial products).
Revenue in the funeral segment is generated primarily from service fees (arrangements and ceremonies), merchandise sales (caskets, vaults, memorial items), and fees for cremation and related handling. The segment benefits from steady demand but can be sensitive to local competitive dynamics and changes in consumer preferences such as higher cremation adoption or lower-cost alternatives.
Cemetery segment
The cemetery segment includes the ownership and operation of cemetery properties, mausoleums, crypts and niche spaces. This business often involves the sale of interment rights (plots, crypt spaces, niches), ongoing maintenance fees, and burial or interment services.
Cemetery assets have long-term revenue characteristics. Sales of interment rights provide near-term cash, while perpetual care funds and ongoing service fees generate recurring revenue years after the initial sale. Because cemetery land and built structures are finite, cemetery inventory management and the timing of interment-rights sales are important drivers of long-term revenue.
Brands, channels and ancillary services
SCI operates a portfolio of consumer brands to serve different market segments and price points. Beyond on-site services, the company has developed channels such as pre-need planning (advance planning and funded pre-need contracts), online arrangement tools, grief-support resources and merchandise catalogs.
Ancillary revenue streams include pre-need trust administration, memorialization products, cemetery maintenance services, and partnerships that provide referral or care management services. Digital channels (online pre-planning, virtual memorials) have become more significant, enabling consumers to compare options and complete arrangements remotely.
Financial profile
Key financial metrics
Investors tracking sci stock typically monitor metrics that capture scale, profitability, cash generation and balance sheet health. Important recurring metrics include:
- Revenue and revenue growth (segmented by funeral services vs. cemetery operations)
- Net income and diluted EPS (earnings per share)
- Segment and consolidated operating margins (EBIT or EBITDA margins)
- Free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures)
- Debt levels (total debt, net debt) and leverage ratios (net debt / EBITDA)
- Interest coverage ratios and liquidity (available credit facilities)
- Pre-need funded balances and trust performance
Historical financial performance
Historically, SCI’s revenue and profitability trends have been influenced by organic demand (driven by demographic trends and mortality rates), acquisition activity, service mix shifts (cremation vs. burial), and cost inflation (labor, fuel, materials for caskets and monuments).
Seasonality is generally modest for deathcare services compared with consumer discretionary businesses, but local events, weather and public-health developments can cause short-term fluctuations. Demographic drivers—an aging population and geographic population shifts—are structural factors supporting long-term demand for deathcare services.
Recent results and guidance
Public companies like SCI publish quarterly earnings and annual reports that present revenue, EPS, cash flow and management guidance. As of Jan 21, 2024, public reporting reflected management commentary on integration of prior acquisitions and ongoing margin-improvement initiatives. For precise figures on recent quarters, guidance changes and management statements, consult SCI’s most recent earnings release and Form 10-Q/10-K filings. These documents provide quantifiable metrics and forward-looking guidance that are essential for accurate analysis.
Stock market information
Ticker and listing
sci stock trades under the ticker SCI on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Investors can find formal identifiers such as the company’s CUSIP and ISIN in regulatory filings and data providers.
Market capitalization and float
Service Corporation International is typically classified as a large-cap company, with market capitalization that may fluctuate within the mid-to-high billions depending on the market environment. Market-cap ranges and shares outstanding change over time; for the latest market capitalization, shares outstanding and float, consult market data providers and the company’s investor relations materials.
Average daily trading volume for sci stock varies with market conditions and news flow. Active institutional interest and occasional retail attention can increase trading volume around earnings, M&A news, or legal disclosures.
Price history and performance
sci stock price history should be reviewed across multiple time horizons (1‑year, 5‑year, 10‑year). Long-term investors often evaluate total return including dividends and share repurchases. Recent price trends are influenced by operational results, interest-rate environment (which affects financing costs and discount rates for long-lived cemetery assets), and broader market sentiment.
For up-to-date 52-week range and historical charts, use trustworthy market data sources and the company’s investor relations data.
Dividend policy
SCI has historically distributed dividends to shareholders, and dividend policy is an element investors watch when evaluating sci stock. Dividend characteristics to consider include yield (annual dividend per share divided by share price), payout frequency (typically quarterly), and payout ratio relative to earnings or free cash flow.
Management statements and board decisions determine dividend changes; notable increases or cuts are typically disclosed in press releases and reflected in subsequent filings. To verify current yield and payout, check the company’s dividend announcement or authoritative market quotes.
Options and liquidity
sci stock generally has listed options, which allow investors and traders to express directional views or hedge positions. Liquidity in options and the stock itself varies by strike, expiry and market conditions. Traders should consider bid-ask spreads, open interest and average option volume when trading derivatives on sci stock.
For those using web3 wallets or tokenized representations, Bitget Wallet provides a Web3 interface to manage digital assets, and Bitget offers trading products that may include tokenized securities exposures; verify product availability and regulatory status before acting.
Ownership and analyst coverage
Major institutional holders and insiders
Large institutional investors (asset managers, mutual funds, pension plans) typically hold a meaningful portion of sci stock. Insider ownership (executives and board members) and any recent insider transactions are disclosed in SEC filings. Institutional holdings and insider trends are useful for gauging confidence from professional investors and management alignment with shareholders.
Analyst ratings and price targets
Brokerage analysts cover many large-cap names including SCI and may publish ratings (buy/hold/sell) and price targets. Consensus analyst recommendations and target ranges provide one perspective on market expectations. For the most current analyst coverage and the range of price targets, consult published analyst reports and aggregated data from market research providers.
Valuation and investor considerations
Common valuation metrics
Common metrics used to value sci stock and compare it with peers include:
- Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E)
- Enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA)
- Price-to-book ratio (P/B)
- Free cash flow yield
- Dividend yield and payout ratios
Because SCI operates capital-intensive cemetery assets and earns recurring revenue streams, EV/EBITDA and FCF-based measures are often used to capture operating cash generation and leverage-adjusted valuation.
Investment thesis
Typical bullish arguments for sci stock focus on:
- Scale and market leadership that provide pricing power and operational efficiencies
- Stable, recurring cash flows from cemetery interment-rights and pre-need contracts
- Demographic tailwinds from aging populations that support long-term demand for deathcare services
- Dividend income and predictable cash generation
Bearish arguments often emphasize:
- Elevated debt or leverage that raises interest-rate sensitivity
- Shifts in consumer preferences (higher cremation rates, low-cost alternatives) compressing average revenue per arrangement
- Integration risk from acquisitions and operational challenges in maintaining consistent service quality
- Reputational or legal risks unique to the deathcare industry
All discussion here is informational and not investment advice. Readers should consult primary filings and licensed advisors for decisions related to sci stock.
Risks and controversies
Operational and industry risks
SCI is exposed to operational risks including variability in mortality rates, competition from local funeral providers and alternative service models, and secular shifts such as increasing cremation rates which may change revenue mix and margins. Cost inflation for labor, transportation and merchandise can pressure margins if not passed to consumers.
Financial and leverage risks
Debt levels and interest-rate exposure are key financial risks. Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs and can affect the company’s credit metrics. Monitoring net debt, covenant compliance and free cash flow is important when assessing sci stock from a financial-stability perspective.
Legal, regulatory and reputational issues
The funeral and cemetery industry is subject to consumer-protection regulations, state licensing, and environmental and land-use rules for cemetery properties. Litigation or regulatory scrutiny (for example, around pricing practices, pre-need trust management or service handling) can lead to financial penalties and reputational damage. Past industry controversies (broadly across the sector) highlight sensitivity to reputational issues and the need for strict compliance practices.
For current and specific legal matters involving SCI, consult the company’s SEC filings and press releases which disclose material legal proceedings.
Corporate governance and management
Board and executive leadership
SCI’s governance structure includes a board of directors and executive management team responsible for strategy, operations and capital allocation. Key figures often cited include the CEO and the board chair; board composition, independence, and committee structures (audit, compensation, nominating) are items shareholders examine when evaluating governance quality.
Executive compensation and shareholder alignment
Executive compensation programs typically combine base salary, annual incentives, equity awards and long-term performance plans. Investors review pay-for-performance alignment and whether incentive structures support sustainable growth, risk management and shareholder value.
Proxy statements filed annually provide detailed disclosure of compensation, board elections and shareholder proposals relevant to sci stock governance.
Strategic initiatives and outlook
Growth strategy
SCI pursues growth through a combination of organic initiatives and acquisitions. Organic growth levers include pricing optimization, expansion of cremation and alternative-service offerings, and digital channels for consumer engagement. M&A strategy targets strategic additions that increase geographic penetration or add high-value cemetery inventory.
Margin-improvement plans often include procurement centralization, labor productivity initiatives and cross-selling of ancillary products.
Capital allocation
Capital allocation priorities for SCI typically balance dividends, debt reduction, reinvestment in facilities and strategic acquisitions. Share repurchases may be used opportunistically, subject to board approval and available liquidity. Investors watch statements from management and the board for clarity on priorities when evaluating sci stock.
ESG and sustainability efforts
ESG considerations for deathcare operators include environmental practices (green burial options, emissions from cremation), community and employee relations, and governance transparency. SCI publishes sustainability or corporate responsibility information in investor materials and reports. For Web3 users and investors managing digital records or memorialization, Bitget Wallet can be used to manage Web3 interactions—always verify the specific application and regulatory compliance of any tokenized offerings.
Trading and technical considerations
Technical traders and market participants may use indicators such as moving averages, momentum oscillators, volume trends and support/resistance levels when trading sci stock. Volatility and beta relative to broad-market indices help gauge susceptibility to market swings. Option traders analyze implied volatility, open interest and liquidity when selecting strategies on sci stock.
As with any traded security, liquidity can vary around earnings, guidance or corporate events. If you use crypto-enabled platforms or tokenized stock products, consider using Bitget and Bitget Wallet for related Web3 functionality while verifying regulatory terms and product availability.
See also
- Funeral services industry overview
- Comparable public companies in deathcare and cemetery operations
- Dividend investing basics and metrics
- Differences between operating companies and REITs in real asset industries
References and external links
Sources and commonly used references for sci stock research include:
- Company investor relations materials and press releases (Service Corporation International Investor Relations)
- SEC filings (Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K)
- Major market data providers and financial news outlets (market data snapshots and analyst reports)
- Industry research reports on funeral and cemetery trends
- News reports and market coverage: As of Jan 21, 2024, market reporting from Reuters and AP provided broad market context around equities and investor sentiment. See Reuters Jan 21, 2024 market coverage for related commentary.
All factual items in this article should be cross-checked with primary sources such as SCI’s current filings and investor releases for any material updates.
Further reading and latest data: consult SCI’s most recent SEC filings and official investor communications for verified figures on revenue, market capitalization, dividend rate and outstanding shares.
Explore more and next steps
This article summarized the company, business model, financial and market characteristics for sci stock. For real-time quotes and trading access, consider checking regulated market data providers and platforms. If you use Web3 tools for research or tokenized products, Bitget Wallet and Bitget’s market offerings provide integrated functionality—confirm product availability and compliance before trading.
For additional company details, check SCI’s investor relations releases and official SEC filings to verify the latest financials, corporate actions and governance disclosures.
Note: This article is informational only. It is not financial or investment advice. Verify the latest data and consult licensed professionals before making investment decisions.
