Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD) Shares Cross Above 50 Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Quad Graphics shares moved above their 50-day moving average, trading as high as $10.58 and last changing hands at $10.36, compared with a 50-day average of $9.32.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive: the stock has an average “Buy” rating and a consensus price target of $12.00, with Rosenblatt Securities and Benchmark raising their targets to $13.00.
• Quad Graphics exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $0.24 in EPS versus a $0.20 estimate and revenue of $577.5 million versus $545.15 million expected. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, representing a 3.9% annualized yield.

Quad Graphics, Inc (NYSE:QUAD - Get Free Report) shares passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $9.32 and traded as high as $10.58. Quad Graphics shares last traded at $10.36, with a volume of 241,897 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Quad Graphics Stock Performance

The company's 50-day moving average is $9.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.94. The company has a market capitalization of $533.13 million, a P/E ratio of 16.44 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81.

Quad Graphics (NYSE:QUAD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The business services provider reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $577.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $545.15 million. Quad Graphics had a return on equity of 47.90% and a net margin of 1.31%. Equities analysts anticipate that Quad Graphics, Inc will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quad Graphics Announces Dividend

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 3.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 17th. Quad Graphics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.49%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Quad Graphics by 109.4% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 3,279 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,713 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Quad Graphics during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,506,000. Baron Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 worth $211,000 after purchasing an additional 3,107 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Quad Graphics in the first quarter worth approximately $119,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Quad Graphics by 2.0% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 460,452 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $3,044,000 after buying an additional 9,174 shares during the period. 39.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.

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