Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Here’s Why

Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE:QUAD) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Friday . Approximately 628,628 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 180% from the previous session’s volume of 224,117 shares.The stock last traded at $9.8590 and had previously closed at $9.81.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Quad Graphics from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Rosenblatt Securities upped their price objective on Quad Graphics from $9.80 to $13.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Quad Graphics in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Benchmark lifted their target price on Quad Graphics from $10.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Quad Graphics currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $12.00.

Quad Graphics Price Performance

The company’s fifty day moving average is $8.57 and its 200 day moving average is $7.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The stock has a market cap of $511.01 million, a PE ratio of 15.76 and a beta of 1.11.

Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The business services provider reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.04. Quad Graphics had a net margin of 1.31% and a return on equity of 47.90%. The company had revenue of $577.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $545.15 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Quad Graphics, Inc will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quad Graphics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. Quad Graphics’s payout ratio is presently 63.49%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Miller Value Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quad Graphics by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Miller Value Partners LLC now owns 2,737,890 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $17,167,000 after purchasing an additional 114,415 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Quad Graphics by 0.7% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,799,720 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $11,266,000 after buying an additional 11,773 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management raised its holdings in shares of Quad Graphics by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,353,001 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $8,483,000 after buying an additional 3,687 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Quad Graphics by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,135,439 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $7,506,000 after buying an additional 16,815 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quad Graphics by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 703,720 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,977,000 after buying an additional 1,837 shares during the period. 39.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Quad Graphics

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.