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Upturn AI Summary - About
Donnelley Financial Solutions Inc(DFIN)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for DFIN
10/23/2026: DFIN (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN) is a specialized provider of software and services for regulatory compliance and financial communications. The company is currently executing a transition from legacy print services to a high-margin, recurring software model. Its main strength lies in deep expertise within complex regulatory environments, providing a defensible moat against generic competitors. While this transition creates a stable growth story, the company remains subject to risks such as volatility in capital market activity and competitive pressure from cloud-native software firms. DFIN is best suited for value-oriented investors who monitor the growth of its software segment and market-driven deal volumes.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | DFIN offers moderate growth through its SaaS transition, but is capped by cyclical capital market dependencies. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock often lacks the high-velocity price action typically sought by momentum traders. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The company often trades at reasonable valuation multiples relative to its cash flow generation. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | DFIN does not provide dividend income, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | Business model stability is high due to regulatory requirements, but stock price volatility tied to financial markets exists. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock is sensitive to macro-economic cycles and IPO activity. |
| Valuation risk | Low | The company typically trades at valuations that reflect its stable, albeit non-hyper-growth, profile. |
| Competition risk (Software/SaaS) | Medium / high | Increased competition from agile, cloud-native software providers threatens market share in reporting tools. |
| Business quality | Medium | The shift to SaaS is improving quality, though legacy print operations remain a drag on margins. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Investors receive zero income from dividends, eliminating this as a return component. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully transitioning legacy clients to new platforms is critical for long-term retention. |
Price Behavior

Flat / Range-Bound
The stock price has been trading within a narrow range with minimal directional movement.

Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -39.12% | Avg. Invested days 41 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals 
Financial Health Rating 
Growth Momentum Score 
Ownership 
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue) 
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile 
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 1.36B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 38.03 | 1Y Target Price 64 |
Price to earnings Ratio 38.03 | 1Y Target Price 64 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 238.2K shares | Beta 0.75 | 52 Weeks Range 36.11 - 56.33 | Updated Date 10/24/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 36.11 - 56.33 | Updated Date 10/24/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.46 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Software Solutions | Subscription revenue from cloud-based platforms like ActiveDisclosure and Arc Suite. | This is the company's 'stickiest' revenue source with recurring software fees. |
| Global Capital Markets | Transactional services for IPOs, M&A, and debt filings. | This revenue is cyclical and depends on how busy the stock and debt markets are. |
| Geography | Primarily North American market with global support capabilities. | Most revenue is generated in the US, where regulatory filing requirements are extensive. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-29 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.74 | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 4.53% | Operating Margin (TTM) 25.83% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 11.29% | Return on Equity (TTM) 8.59% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 38.03 | Forward PE 7.82 | Enterprise Value 1.62B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.76 |
Enterprise Value 1.62B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.76 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.14 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.22 | Shares Outstanding 24.59M | Shares Floating 23.31M |
Shares Outstanding 24.59M | Shares Floating 23.31M | ||
Percent Insiders 5.53 | Percent Institutions 95.85 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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