QUAD vs EBF

For growth investors, Ennis, Inc.

(EBF) is the stronger pick with -6. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 4% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD). 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 Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD) a "Buy" — based on 7 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, Ennis, Inc.

(EBF) is the cheapest at 13. 2x versus Quad/Graphics, Inc. at 13. 8x. On forward P/E, Quad/Graphics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

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

(QUAD) delivered a total return of +155. 6%, compared to +30. 8% for Ennis, Inc. (EBF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EBF returned +77. 9% versus QUAD's -22. 0%. 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), Ennis, Inc.

(EBF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 53β versus Quad/Graphics, Inc. 's 1. 03β — meaning QUAD is approximately 94% 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 3% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ennis, Inc.

(EBF) is pulling ahead at -6. 1% 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 -6. 1% for Ennis, 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.

Ennis, Inc.

(EBF) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 2% net margin versus 1. 1% for Quad/Graphics, 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 4. 9% for QUAD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EBF leads at 29. 7%, 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. 1x forward P/E versus 13. 2x for Ennis, Inc. — 7. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Ennis, Inc. (EBF) offers the highest yield at 17. 3%, versus 3. 9% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD).

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). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EBF: +77. 9%, QUAD: -22. 0%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.