Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD) Hits New 1-Year High After Strong Earnings

Shares of Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE:QUAD) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $9.90 and last traded at $9.7590, with a volume of 165173 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.41.

The business services provider reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $577.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $545.15 million. Quad Graphics had a return on equity of 47.27% and a net margin of 1.16%.

Quad Graphics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. Quad Graphics’s payout ratio is 71.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

QUAD has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Quad Graphics in a research note on Friday. Benchmark started coverage on shares of Quad Graphics in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. They set a “buy” rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $9.93.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quad Graphics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co purchased a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new position in shares of Quad Graphics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Quad Graphics by 113.1% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 5,688 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 3,019 shares in the last quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $68,000. Finally, DGS Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics in the first quarter worth $71,000. 39.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Quad Graphics Stock Up 13.7%

The stock has a market capitalization of $492.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.40 and a beta of 1.11. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $7.93 and its 200-day moving average is $7.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.65.

Quad Graphics Company Profile

Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE: QUAD) is a global provider of print and related marketing services, serving a diverse range of clients in the publishing, retail, e-commerce and consumer packaged goods sectors. The company offers end-to-end solutions that span traditional print production, supply chain management and digital marketing support. Quad Graphics leverages a network of production facilities and distribution centers to deliver high-quality printed materials and integrated marketing programs that help clients reach their target audiences across multiple channels.

The company’s core offerings include magazine and catalog printing, direct mail, retail inserts, shopper marketing materials, custom packaging and point-of-sale displays.