MDU vs. DLX
MDU (MDU Resources Group, Inc.) and DLX (Deluxe Corporation) are both stocks. MDU operates in Building Materials (Basic Materials), while DLX operates in Advertising Agencies (Communication Services). Over the past 10 years, MDU returned 12.46%/yr vs -6.04%/yr for DLX. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MDU vs. DLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MDU achieves a 12.09% return, which is significantly higher than DLX's 3.85% return. Over the past 10 years, MDU has outperformed DLX with an annualized return of 12.46%, while DLX has yielded a comparatively lower -6.04% annualized return.
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
- 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 vs. DLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
DLX Deluxe Corporation | 3.85% | 5.55% | 11.31% | 34.92% | -44.40% | 13.38% | -38.90% | 33.32% | -48.98% | 9.17% |
Correlation
The correlation between MDU and DLX 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 MDU and DLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.43 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MDU:
$4.47B
DLX:
$1.05B
MDU:
$0.92
DLX:
$2.34
MDU:
23.47
DLX:
9.68
MDU:
2.46
DLX:
0.49
MDU:
1.54
DLX:
0.41
MDU:
$1.81B
DLX:
$2.13B
MDU:
$848.35M
DLX:
$1.13B
MDU:
$528.72M
DLX:
$327.18M
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Return for Risk
MDU vs. DLX — Risk / Return Rank
MDU
DLX
MDU vs. DLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) and Deluxe Corporation (DLX). 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.
| MDU | DLX | 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 | 1.29 | 1.30 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.58 | 1.99 | +1.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.55 | 5.96 | +1.59 |
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Drawdowns
MDU vs. DLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MDU drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, smaller than the maximum DLX drawdown of -84.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDU and DLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MDU | DLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.17% | -84.62% | +22.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.70% | -29.36% | +19.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.48% | -40.93% | +19.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.69% | -68.65% | +45.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.41% | -78.61% | +27.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.68% | -57.35% | +52.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.32% | -28.60% | +14.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.60% | 9.77% | -5.17% |
Volatility
MDU vs. DLX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) is 5.78%, while Deluxe Corporation (DLX) has a volatility of 9.64%. This indicates that MDU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MDU | DLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.78% | 9.64% | -3.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.31% | 31.27% | -16.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.67% | 43.78% | -22.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.00% | 39.39% | -16.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.12% | 40.54% | -13.42% |
Dividends
MDU vs. DLX - Dividend Comparison
MDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than DLX's 5.30% 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
MDU vs. DLX - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Deluxe Corporation. 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
MDU vs. DLX - Profitability Comparison
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MDU and DLX 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, MDU dropped -62.17% vs DLX's -84.62%.
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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