Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE:QUAD) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Sell-Side Analysts

Shares of Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE:QUAD) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the five research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.00.

A number of research firms have commented on QUAD. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of Quad Graphics from $10.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Zacks Research downgraded Quad Graphics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Quad Graphics from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities increased their price objective on shares of Quad Graphics from $9.80 to $13.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th.

Institutional Trading of Quad Graphics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,506,000. Baron Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Quad Graphics by 14.2% in the second quarter. Baron Wealth Management LLC now owns 24,973 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 3,107 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics during the 1st quarter worth about $119,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in Quad Graphics by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 460,452 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,044,000 after buying an additional 9,174 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in Quad Graphics by 30.5% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 46,365 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $306,000 after buying an additional 10,849 shares during the last quarter. 39.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Quad Graphics Stock Down 2.9%

Shares of Quad Graphics stock opened at $9.46 on Friday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $9.75 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.65. Quad Graphics has a 52-week low of $5.12 and a 52-week high of $11.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.87. The firm has a market cap of $486.72 million, a PE ratio of 15.01 and a beta of 1.12.

Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The business services provider reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.04. The business 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 47.90% and a net margin of 1.31%. On average, analysts predict that Quad Graphics will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quad Graphics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 17th. Quad Graphics’s dividend payout ratio is currently 63.49%.

About Quad Graphics

Quad (NYSE: QUAD), formerly Quad/Graphics, is a marketing experience company that helps organizations plan, create, produce and distribute marketing communications. Its services span creative and content development, data and analytics, media planning and buying, marketing management, and production.

The company also provides commercial printing, packaging, direct mail, in-store marketing materials and other physical communications. By combining these capabilities with digital and technology services, Quad supports integrated marketing programs designed to connect brands with consumers across print, digital and other channels.

Quad was founded in 1971 by Harry V.