Matthews International (MATW) shares rallied 14.5% in the last trading session to close at $31.03. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 12.5% loss over the past four weeks.

Matthews International’s shares got a boost on its agreement to sell its stake in SGK Brand Solutions to a newly created entity formed by affiliates of SGS & Co. The deal is likely to benefit Matthews International by helping it reduce debt and streamline operations.

This global provider of industrial technologies, memorialization products and brand solutions is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -29.7%. Revenues are expected to be $428.36 million, down 4.8% from the year-ago quarter.

While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For Matthews International, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on MATW going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>

Matthews International belongs to the Zacks Funeral Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Carriage Services (CSV), closed the last trading session 1.1% higher at $39.35. Over the past month, CSV has returned -2.1%.

Carriage Services' consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $0.51. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of -33.8%. Carriage Services currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

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