DLX vs. MDU
DLX (Deluxe Corporation) and MDU (MDU Resources Group, Inc.) are both stocks. DLX operates in Advertising Agencies (Communication Services), while MDU operates in Building Materials (Basic Materials). Over the past 10 years, DLX returned -6.04%/yr vs 12.46%/yr for MDU. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
DLX vs. MDU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DLX achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly lower than MDU's 12.09% return. Over the past 10 years, DLX has underperformed MDU with an annualized return of -6.04%, while MDU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.46% annualized return.
DLX
- 1D
- 1.80%
- 1M
- -4.55%
- YTD
- 3.85%
- 6M
- 4.59%
- 1Y
- 58.03%
- 3Y*
- 18.90%
- 5Y*
- -8.28%
- 10Y*
- -6.04%
MDU
- 1D
- 1.84%
- 1M
- -1.92%
- YTD
- 12.09%
- 6M
- 11.92%
- 1Y
- 34.62%
- 3Y*
- 28.45%
- 5Y*
- 15.77%
- 10Y*
- 12.46%
DLX vs. MDU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DLX Deluxe Corporation | 3.85% | 5.55% | 11.31% | 34.92% | -44.40% | 13.38% | -38.90% | 33.32% | -48.98% | 9.17% |
MDU MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 12.09% | 11.77% | 68.01% | -1.94% | 1.46% | 20.37% | -8.31% | 28.44% | -8.64% | -3.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between DLX and MDU is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 1987 | 0.31 |
The correlation between DLX and MDU shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.43 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
DLX:
$1.05B
MDU:
$4.47B
DLX:
$2.34
MDU:
$0.92
DLX:
9.68
MDU:
23.47
DLX:
0.49
MDU:
2.46
DLX:
0.41
MDU:
1.54
DLX:
$2.13B
MDU:
$1.81B
DLX:
$1.13B
MDU:
$848.35M
DLX:
$327.18M
MDU:
$528.72M
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Return for Risk
DLX vs. MDU — Risk / Return Rank
DLX
MDU
DLX vs. MDU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Deluxe Corporation (DLX) and MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| DLX | MDU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.29 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.99 | 3.58 | -1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.96 | 7.55 | -1.59 |
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Drawdowns
DLX vs. MDU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DLX drawdown since its inception was -84.62%, which is greater than MDU's maximum drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLX and MDU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DLX | MDU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -84.62% | -62.17% | -22.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.36% | -9.70% | -19.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.93% | -21.48% | -19.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -68.65% | -22.69% | -45.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -78.61% | -51.41% | -27.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -57.35% | -4.68% | -52.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.60% | -14.32% | -14.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.77% | 4.60% | +5.17% |
Volatility
DLX vs. MDU - Volatility Comparison
Deluxe Corporation (DLX) has a higher volatility of 9.64% compared to MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) at 5.78%. This indicates that DLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DLX | MDU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.64% | 5.78% | +3.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.27% | 14.31% | +16.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.78% | 21.67% | +22.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 39.39% | 23.00% | +16.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 40.54% | 27.12% | +13.42% |
Dividends
DLX vs. MDU - Dividend Comparison
DLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.30%, more than MDU's 2.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DLX Deluxe Corporation | 5.30% | 5.37% | 5.31% | 5.59% | 7.07% | 3.74% | 4.11% | 2.40% | 3.12% | 1.56% | 1.68% | 2.20% |
MDU MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 2.59% | 2.77% | 1.89% | 3.16% | 2.88% | 2.77% | 3.17% | 2.74% | 3.33% | 2.88% | 2.62% | 4.01% |
Financials
DLX vs. MDU - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Deluxe Corporation and MDU Resources Group, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
DLX vs. MDU - Profitability Comparison
DLX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Deluxe Corporation reported a gross profit of 279.40M and revenue of 538.10M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 51.9%.
MDU - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported a gross profit of 491.20M and revenue of 606.00M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 81.1%.
DLX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Deluxe Corporation reported an operating income of 71.80M and revenue of 538.10M, resulting in an operating margin of 13.3%.
MDU - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported an operating income of 115.70M and revenue of 606.00M, resulting in an operating margin of 19.1%.
DLX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Deluxe Corporation reported a net income of 35.80M and revenue of 538.10M, resulting in a net margin of 6.7%.
MDU - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported a net income of 80.80M and revenue of 606.00M, resulting in a net margin of 13.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
DLX and MDU have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DLX has higher volatility (9.64%) compared to MDU (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLX dropped -84.62% vs MDU's -62.17%.
MDU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.33), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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