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QUAD · Quad/Graphics, Inc.

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$10.12 +0.07 (+0.70%)
Market Cap
$530.05M
Shares
51.46M
All earnings calls

Earnings call · FY2026 Q1

Quad/Graphics, Inc. Q1 FY2026 Earnings Call

Quad/Graphics, Inc. Q1 FY2026 Earnings Call

Concluded Apr 29, 2026
Apr 29, 2026 32 turns
Period
FY2026 Q1
Runtime
Sources
4 artifacts

Executive readout · one minute

What matters this quarter

Quad reported Q1 2026 results in line with expectations, with net sales of $581 million down 7.7% year-over-year (4.3% excluding the European operations divestiture), adjusted EBITDA of $45 million versus $46 million, and adjusted diluted EPS up 25% to $0.25. The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance and returned $7 million to shareholders.

Postage/USPS cost pressures 38 Supply chain and input costs (ink, fuel) 25 Capital allocation / shareholder returns 21 Integrated marketing solutions / MX offering 16 Postal optimization solutions 14 At-Home Direct platform 8

Management tone

Positive

Net tone +15 · moderate hedging

Grounding quotes
  • “Our first quarter results were in line with our expectations, and we are on track to achieve our full year 2026 guidance.”
  • “During the quarter, we maintained steady profitability and expanded margins compared to Q1 2025.”
  • “we are maintaining cost discipline while navigating dynamic macroeconomic challenges, including continued postage rate increases and cost pressures in our supply chain stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”
  • “I don't feel this has significantly disrupted our product lines to the point of a huge long-term issue.”

Research coverage

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Revenue $581.00M -7.7% YoY
Diluted EPS $0.13 +18.2% YoY
Net income $6.20M +6.9% YoY

Research materials

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Key takeaways

What improved, and what deserves a closer read.

Constructive signals

  • Adjusted diluted EPS grew 25% to $0.25 from $0.20 in Q1 2025
  • Returned $7 million to shareholders via $6 million in cash dividends and $1 million in share repurchases; repurchased 0.2 million shares in the quarter
  • Expanded margins compared to Q1 2025 and maintained steady profitability
  • Reaffirmed full-year 2026 financial guidance with an improved sales decline rate and essentially flat adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow vs. 2025
  • Postal optimization solutions cut a client's postage costs by 27% in a one-week example; At-Home Connect reduced Fidium's mail cycle from two weeks to five days and cut direct mail production costs by 33%
  • Monogram's Abe private student loan program achieved sixfold year-over-year booked loan growth while maintaining target cost per application

Risks & pressure points

  • Net sales declined 7.7% year-over-year to $581 million from $629 million (4.3% excluding the European operations divestiture)
  • Reported adjusted EBITDA of $45 million, down from $46 million in Q1 2025
  • Upcoming USPS postage rate increase expected to raise postage costs by up to 10% for many Co-mail clients effective July 12
  • Oil and gas price increases in late Q1 raised distribution and petrochemical-based input costs, prompting a temporary ink surcharge
  • Postmaster General warned USPS could run out of cash in 2027 absent federal intervention, citing the universal service obligation and growing delivery points
  • Agency solutions saw a pullback from some existing clients, with management attributing it to geopolitical events, supply chain disruptions, and product cost pressures

Key moments

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“Our first quarter results were in line with our expectations, and we are on track to achieve our full year 2026 guidance. During the quarter, we maintained steady profitability and expanded margins compared to Q1 2025. Our strong balance sheet enabled us to return $7 million to shareholders, including $6 million in regular cash dividends and $1 million in share repurchases.” Joel Quadracci, CEO
“In late Q1, oil and gas prices increased sharply, driving up distribution costs and raising input costs tied to petrochemicals used in certain manufacturing processes, most notably ink. In response, Quad implemented a temporary surcharge on ink. We are continuing to proactively manage the situation should volatility persist, including diversifying suppliers, optimizing inventory planning and taking targeted pricing actions where appropriate.” Joel Quadracci, CEO

Quarter detail

How the reported period landed and where the business moved.

Revenue · segments

United States Print and Related Services$531.00M -4.1% YoY
International$50.00M -33.9% YoY

Capital returned

Buybacks
$1.10M
Dividend / share
$0.10
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