Quad Graphics Inc logo

Quad Graphics Inc(QUAD)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
3-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$7.61
11/06/2026
(24-hour delay)

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)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for QUAD

11/06/2026: QUAD (3-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Quad Graphics is a marketing services company that bridges traditional print and modern digital agency solutions. It maintains a leading position in direct mail and retail signage, which helps support its ongoing transition into a broader marketing experience provider. The primary investment story involves management’s effort to pivot toward higher-margin agency services while managing the decline of secular print volumes. Key risks include significant exposure to macroeconomic retail spending and the ongoing challenge of executing a complex business model transformation. Quad may suit value-oriented investors who are comfortable with the risks of a legacy industry in transition, though it currently lacks the yield characteristics often favored by dividend-focused investors.

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 styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is tied to the success of the transition toward marketing services rather than core printing legacy.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock often lacks the high-growth profile required for pure momentum strategies.
Value investorStrong fitThe company often trades at low valuation multiples, potentially appealing to deep-value investors.
Dividend investorWeak fitCapital allocation is currently prioritized toward debt reduction over high dividend payouts.
Low-risk investorWeak fitIndustry volatility and the ongoing transformation create risks unsuitable for conservative portfolios.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock can experience sharp swings based on quarterly print volume and macroeconomic sentiment.
Valuation riskLowCurrent valuations generally reflect the market's skepticism regarding the print industry's long-term future.
Competition risk (Digital shift)HighCompetition from pure-play digital agencies and platforms is a constant threat to market share.
Business qualityMediumWhile Quad has a strong heritage, the core print business faces secular headwinds that challenge long-term margins.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe current focus on debt reduction reduces the likelihood of significant immediate dividend growth.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessfully pivoting a legacy manufacturing business to a modern marketing agency requires complex cultural and operational shifts.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 67.56%
Avg. Invested days 45
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 4.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 3.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/06/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
QUAD receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
QUAD has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+153.0%) is partially offset by soft cash generation (FCF margin 2.1%), negative revenue growth (-9.4%), soft profitability (net margin 1.1%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
QUAD's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (2.1% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is QUAD's strongest growth driver at +153.0% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-9.4%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-9.0%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 58.6% and approximately 77.8% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 21.86% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Patient Capital Management 4.99%
BlackRock Inc 4.50%
LSV Asset Management 2.70%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 2.56%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 2.36%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
QUAD generates approximately $184 of gross profit, $49 of operating income, and $21 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and solid capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 16.92%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
QUAD has a high-quality, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedQuality TiltHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 387.49M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 13.59
1Y Target Price 12.5
Price to earnings Ratio 13.59
1Y Target Price 12.5
Volume (30-day avg) 331.8K shares
Beta 1.23
52 Weeks Range 4.93 - 11.04
Updated Date 11/08/2026
52 Weeks Range 4.93 - 11.04
Updated Date 11/08/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 4.88%
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.56

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Print ServicesLarge-scale commercial printing, direct mail, and packaging production.The foundational part of the business, though it faces long-term secular decline.
Marketing AgencyCreative, digital, and strategic consulting services.The growth segment intended to diversify revenue streams away from print.

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 2026-10-28
When After Market
Estimate 0.36
Actual 0.35

Profitability

Profit Margin 1.12%
Operating Margin (TTM) 5.68%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 5.34%
Return on Equity (TTM) 24.4%

Valuation

Trailing PE 13.59
Forward PE 5.11
Enterprise Value 877.29M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.16
Enterprise Value 877.29M
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.16
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.37
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.1
Shares Outstanding 37.66M
Shares Floating 29.31M
Shares Outstanding 37.66M
Shares Floating 29.31M
Percent Insiders 21.86
Percent Institutions 58.57

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon 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)

Information icon 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)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.