As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q3. Today, we are looking at safety & security services stocks, starting with CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW).

Rising concerns over physical security, cybersecurity threats, and workplace safety regulations will present opportunities for companies in this sector. AI and digitization will enhance surveillance, access control, and threat detection, which could benefit key players in Safety & Security Services. These trends could also introduce ethical and regulatory concerns over data privacy and automated decision-making in security operations, giving rise to headline risks. Finally, increasing scrutiny on private security practices and evolving criminal justice policies again mean that companies in the space need to operate with the utmost care or risk being the poster child of abuse of power.

The 5 safety & security services stocks we track reported a solid Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.5% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some safety & security services stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.1% since the latest earnings results.

Best Q3: CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW)

Originally founded in 1983 as the first private prison company in the United States, CoreCivic (NYSE: CXW) operates correctional facilities, detention centers, and residential reentry programs for government agencies across the United States.

CoreCivic reported revenues of $744.1 million, up 28.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. Overall, it was an impressive quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Lucibeth Mayberry, CoreCivic's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We delivered strong financial results in a very active quarter, driven by increased demand for our services from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including higher utilization of recently activated facilities, as well as the contribution from our acquisition of Clinical Solutions Pharmacy earlier this year.  Our capital allocation strategy also contributed to improved results through lower interest expense and a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding, which benefited our per share earnings and valuation metrics."

CoreCivic achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth in the group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 6.1% since reporting and currently trades at $28.67.

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

GEO Group (NYSE: GEO)

With a global footprint spanning three continents and approximately 81,000 beds across 100 facilities, GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) operates secure facilities, processing centers, and reentry services for government agencies in the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

GEO Group reported revenues of $761.1 million, up 11.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. However, the business still had a favorable quarter with revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

GEO Group delivered the highest guidance raise and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $27.76.

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

Weakest Q3: Brink's (NYSE: BCO)

Known for its iconic armored trucks that have been a fixture in American cities since 1859, Brink's (NYSE: BCO) provides secure transportation and management of cash and valuables for banks, retailers, and other businesses worldwide.

Brink's reported revenues of $1.37 billion, up 3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

Brink's delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 1.6% since the results and currently trades at $109.73.

Read our full analysis of Brink’s results here.

MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA)

Founded in 1914 as Mine Safety Appliances to protect coal miners from dangerous gases, MSA Safety (NYSE: MSA) designs and manufactures advanced safety products that protect workers and facilities across industries including fire service, energy, construction, and manufacturing.

MSA Safety reported revenues of $536.4 million, up 14.5% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. However, it was a mixed quarter as it underperformed in some other aspects of the business.

The stock is down 8.8% since reporting and currently trades at $169.97.

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

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI)

Born from the company that invented the first portable handheld police radio in 1940, Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) provides mission-critical communications, video security, and command center software solutions for public safety agencies and enterprise customers.

Motorola Solutions reported revenues of $3.38 billion, up 12.2% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it failed to impress in some other areas of the business.

Motorola Solutions had the weakest guidance update and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. The stock is up 2% since reporting and currently trades at $507.18.

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

Market update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

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