DLX vs QUAD

For growth investors, Deluxe Corporation (DLX) is the stronger pick with 0.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 4% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD). Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD) offers the better valuation at 14. 2x trailing P/E (6. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Deluxe Corporation (DLX) a "Buy" — based on 6 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.

On trailing P/E, Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) is the cheapest at 14. 2x versus Deluxe Corporation at 14. 9x. On forward P/E, Quad/Graphics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) delivered a total return of +158. 1%, compared to -29. 6% for Deluxe Corporation (DLX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QUAD returned -23. 3% versus DLX's -38. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 03β versus Deluxe Corporation's 1. 09β — meaning DLX is approximately 5% more volatile than QUAD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Deluxe Corporation (DLX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 3% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Deluxe Corporation (DLX) is pulling ahead at 0.

5% versus -9. 4% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Quad/Graphics, Inc. grew EPS 150. 5% year-over-year, compared to 52. 5% for Deluxe Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, DLX leads at -1. 6% 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.

Deluxe Corporation (DLX) is the more profitable company, earning 4.

0% net margin versus 1. 1% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 4. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DLX leads at 12. 3% versus 4. 9% for QUAD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DLX leads at 53. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) trades at 6. 3x forward P/E versus 6. 6x for Deluxe Corporation — 0. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for QUAD: 4. 4% to $8. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Deluxe Corporation (DLX) offers the highest yield at 4. 5%, versus 3. 8% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 03), 3. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (QUAD: -23. 3%, DLX: -38. 8%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (DLX (Communication Services) and QUAD (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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.