Quad Graphics (QUAD) vs Transcat (TRNS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Quad Graphics (QUAD) has outperformed Transcat (TRNS) over the past year, gaining 59.2% versus a gain of 20.2%. Over five years, QUAD leads with a +119.2% price change compared with +22.1% for TRNS. Transcat is the larger company by market cap ($808.7 million vs $488.4 million), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Quad Graphics trades at a lower forward P/E (6.5x vs 39.9x for Transcat). Quad Graphics pays a dividend yielding 3.69%, while Transcat does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | QUAD | TRNS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $9.49 | $86.40 |
| Market cap | $488.37M | $808.69M |
| 1-day change | +1.93% | -2.69% |
| YTD return | +51.36% | +52.30% |
| 1-year return | +59.23% | +20.20% |
| 5-year return | +119.17% | +22.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.38 | 240.00 |
| Forward P/E | 6.50 | 39.86 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.66 | $0.36 |
| Dividend yield | 3.69% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.35 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $11.15 | $100.00 |
| 52-week low | $5.12 | $50.23 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.89% | -13.60% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +38.78% | +20.75% |
| Average volume | 345.18K | 123.05K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.20M | 9.36M |
| Employees | 10,100 | 1,413 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Publishing | Specialty Business Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- QUAD has outperformed TRNS by 39.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Transcat trades at a higher earnings multiple (240.0x vs 14.4x trailing P/E).
- Quad Graphics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.69% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Quad Graphics in Consumer Discretionary and Transcat in Industrials.
About Quad Graphics
QUAD stock →Quad/Graphics, Inc. provides marketing solutions in North America, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Asia.
Consumer Discretionary · Publishing · 10,100 employees
About Transcat
TRNS stock →Transcat, Inc. provides calibration and laboratory instrument services in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 1,413 employees
QUAD vs TRNS FAQ
Which is bigger, Quad Graphics or Transcat?
Transcat (TRNS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $808.69M compared with $488.37M for Quad Graphics (QUAD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, QUAD or TRNS?
QUAD returned +59.23% over the past 12 months, compared with +20.20% for TRNS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, QUAD or TRNS?
QUAD has the lower trailing P/E at 14.4, versus 240.0 for TRNS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Quad Graphics or Transcat?
Quad Graphics pays a dividend yielding 3.69%, while Transcat does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Quad Graphics and Transcat in the same industry?
No. Quad Graphics is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Transcat is in Industrials.