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EBF vs VPG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
EBF vs VPG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Business Equipment & Supplies | Hardware, Equipment & Parts |
| Market Cap | $612M | $851M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $388M | $299M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $42M | $8M |
| Gross Margin | 30.1% | 39.3% |
| Operating Margin | 13.1% | 4.3% |
| Forward P/E | 13.2x | 80.6x |
| Total Debt | $9M | $55M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $67M | $79M |
EBF vs VPG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ennis, Inc. (EBF) | 100 | 114.3 | +14.3% |
| Vishay Precision Gr… (VPG) | 100 | 269.1 | +169.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EBF vs VPG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
EBF carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.53, yield 17.3%
- Rev growth -6.1%, EPS growth -6.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -0.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.53, Low D/E 3.1%, current ratio 4.59x
VPG is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 350.2% 10Y total return vs EBF's 77.9%
- +159.3% vs EBF's +16.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -6.1% revenue growth vs VPG's -13.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (13.2x vs 80.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 10.9% margin vs VPG's 2.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.53 vs VPG's 2.37, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 17.3% yield; 6-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +159.3% vs EBF's +16.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.7% ROA vs VPG's 1.7%, ROIC 14.9% vs 4.2% |
EBF vs VPG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
EBF vs VPG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — EBF and VPG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EBF and VPG operate at a comparable scale, with $388M and $299M in trailing revenue. EBF is the more profitable business, keeping 10.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VPG's 2.7%. On growth, VPG holds the edge at +5.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $388M | $299M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $67M | $29M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $42M | $8M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $44M | $10M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.1% | +39.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.1% | +4.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.9% | +2.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.4% | +3.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.4% | +5.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.5% | +6.9% |
Valuation Metrics
EBF leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.2x trailing earnings, EBF trades at a 85% valuation discount to VPG's 85.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, EBF's 8.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than VPG's 25.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $612M | $851M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $554M | $827M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 13.21x | 85.91x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.21x | 80.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 14.14x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.08x | 25.31x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.55x | 2.78x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.76x | 2.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 10.20x | 79.88x |
Profitability & Efficiency
EBF leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EBF delivers a 13.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $2 for VPG. EBF carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to VPG's 0.17x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), VPG scores 6/9 vs EBF's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.8% | +2.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.7% | +1.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.9% | +4.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +15.3% | +4.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.17x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$58M | -$24M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $67M | $79M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9M | $55M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 6.20x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
VPG leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in VPG five years ago would be worth $19,530 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13,081 for EBF. Over the past 12 months, VPG leads with a +159.3% total return vs EBF's +16.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors VPG at 18.2% vs EBF's 10.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.8% | +61.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +16.2% | +159.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.3% | +65.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +30.8% | +95.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +77.9% | +350.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.3% | +18.2% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — EBF and VPG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
EBF is the less volatile stock with a 0.53 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VPG's 2.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VPG currently trades 96.1% from its 52-week high vs EBF's 91.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.53x | 2.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.36 | $66.12 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.30 | $22.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +91.0% | +96.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.4 | 74.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 167K | 217K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EBF as "Buy" and VPG as "Buy". EBF is the only dividend payer here at 17.28% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $49.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +17.3% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.52 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.3% | +0.9% |
EBF leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). VPG leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
EBF vs VPG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EBF or VPG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is the stronger pick with -6. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -13. 7% for Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (VPG). Ennis, Inc. (EBF) offers the better valuation at 13. 2x trailing P/E (13. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ennis, Inc. (EBF) a "Buy" — based on 2 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — EBF or VPG?
On trailing P/E, Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is the cheapest at 13. 2x versus Vishay Precision Group, Inc. at 85. 9x. On forward P/E, Ennis, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EBF or VPG?
Over the past 5 years, Vishay Precision Group, Inc.
(VPG) delivered a total return of +95. 3%, compared to +30. 8% for Ennis, Inc. (EBF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VPG returned +350. 2% versus EBF's +77. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — EBF or VPG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 53β versus Vishay Precision Group, Inc. 's 2. 37β — meaning VPG is approximately 348% more volatile than EBF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Ennis, Inc. (EBF) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 17% for Vishay Precision Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EBF or VPG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is pulling ahead at -6. 1% versus -13. 7% for Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (VPG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ennis, Inc. grew EPS -6. 1% year-over-year, compared to -60. 6% for Vishay Precision Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EBF leads at -0. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — EBF or VPG?
Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 2% net margin versus 3. 2% for Vishay Precision Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EBF leads at 13. 2% versus 5. 5% for VPG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VPG leads at 41. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is EBF or VPG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) trades at 13. 2x forward P/E versus 80. 6x for Vishay Precision Group, Inc. — 67. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — EBF or VPG?
In this comparison, EBF (17.
3% yield) pays a dividend. VPG does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is EBF or VPG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ennis, Inc.
(EBF) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 53), 17. 3% yield). Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (VPG) carries a higher beta of 2. 37 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EBF: +77. 9%, VPG: +350. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between EBF and VPG?
These companies operate in different sectors (EBF (Industrials) and VPG (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: EBF is a small-cap deep-value stock; VPG is a small-cap quality compounder stock. EBF pays a dividend while VPG does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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