DLX vs. MDU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

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 -5.99%/yr vs 12.29%/yr for MDU. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DLX vs. MDU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Deluxe Corporation (DLX) and MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DLX achieves a 9.12% return, which is significantly higher than MDU's 7.43% return. Over the past 10 years, DLX has underperformed MDU with an annualized return of -5.99%, while MDU has yielded a comparatively higher 12.29% annualized return.

DLX

• 1D: -2.82%
• 1M: -24.44%
• YTD: 9.12%
• 6M: 19.56%
• 1Y: 77.68%
• 3Y*: 19.34%
• 5Y*: -7.43%
• 10Y*: -5.99%

MDU

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -7.83%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 25.39%
• 3Y*: 26.05%
• 5Y*: 13.22%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DLX vs. MDU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLX Deluxe Corporation	9.12%	5.55%	11.31%	34.92%	-44.40%	13.38%	-38.90%	33.32%	-48.98%	9.17%
MDU MDU Resources Group, Inc.	7.43%	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 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 1987	0.31

The correlation between DLX and MDU shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.44 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap DLX : $1.10B MDU : $4.31B
EPS DLX : $2.34 MDU : $0.92
PE Ratio DLX : 10.17 MDU : 22.65
PS Ratio DLX : 0.51 MDU : 2.37
PB Ratio DLX : 0.43 MDU : 1.48
Total Revenue (TTM) DLX : $2.13B MDU : $1.81B
Gross Profit (TTM) DLX : $1.13B MDU : $848.35M
EBITDA (TTM) DLX : $327.18M MDU : $528.72M

Return for Risk

DLX vs. MDU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DLX

DLX Risk / Return Rank: 84
DLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
DLX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DLX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

MDU

MDU Risk / Return Rank: 73
MDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
MDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
MDU Omega Ratio Rank: 68
MDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
MDU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

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.

	DLX	MDU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.18	+0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	1.64	+1.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.22	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.56	+0.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.12	5.61	+4.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLX vs. MDU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is higher than the MDU Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLX and MDU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DLX	MDU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.18	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.19	0.58	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.15	0.45	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.45	-0.35

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLX	MDU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.62%	-62.17%	-22.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.09%	-9.70%	-18.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.93%	-21.48%	-19.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-68.77%	-23.58%	-45.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.61%	-51.41%	-27.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.19%	-8.64%	-46.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.56%	-14.33%	-14.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.51%	4.43%	+3.08%

Volatility

DLX vs. MDU - Volatility Comparison

Deluxe Corporation (DLX) has a higher volatility of 19.84% compared to MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) at 5.17%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	DLX	MDU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.84%	5.17%	+14.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.53%	14.96%	+15.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.73%	21.61%	+22.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.37%	23.06%	+16.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.50%	27.12%	+13.38%

Dividends

DLX vs. MDU - Dividend Comparison

DLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.04%, more than MDU's 2.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLX Deluxe Corporation	5.04%	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.	2.64%	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 - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Deluxe Corporation and MDU Resources Group, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

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

Can I hold both DLX and MDU in my portfolio?

DLX and MDU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DLX or MDU?

DLX has higher volatility (19.84%) compared to MDU (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLX dropped -84.62% vs MDU's -62.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.18), 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.