QUAD vs ESLT

For growth investors, Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) is the stronger pick with 23. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 4% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD). Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD) offers the better valuation at 13. 8x trailing P/E (6. 1x 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, Quad/Graphics, Inc.

(QUAD) is the cheapest at 13. 8x versus Elbit Systems Ltd. at 67. 3x. On forward P/E, Quad/Graphics, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6. 1x.

Over the past 5 years, Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) delivered a total return of +518. 9%, compared to +155. 6% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ESLT returned +779. 1% 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), Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 35β versus Quad/Graphics, Inc. 's 1. 03β — meaning QUAD is approximately 194% more volatile than ESLT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 23% versus 3% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) is pulling ahead at 23. 9% 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 71. 7% for Elbit Systems Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ESLT leads at 17. 8% 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.

Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 7% net margin versus 1. 1% for Quad/Graphics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ESLT leads at 8. 8% versus 4. 9% for QUAD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ESLT leads at 24. 4%, 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 59. 8x for Elbit Systems Ltd. — 53. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for QUAD: 7. 4% to $8. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD) offers the highest yield at 3. 9%, versus 0. 3% for Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Elbit Systems Ltd.

(ESLT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 35), +779. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ESLT: +779. 1%, 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.

In terms of investment character: QUAD is a small-cap deep-value stock; ESLT is a mid-cap high-growth stock. QUAD pays a dividend while ESLT 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.