Printing Companies May Be Safe Investment

NEW YORK—Looking for a safe investment for your portfolio? You might want to diversify into printing company stocks.

The Associated Press quoted a Longbow Research analyst as saying the commercial printing industry may be a safe sector to invest in amid a general market experiencing volatility.

Analyst Piyush Sharma, in a client note, said that commercial printing shipment growth is largely stable, “making the group a strong contender for inclusion in a defensive and moderate-risk portfolio.” He added that the graphic arts industry is “relatively attractive during a lean economic environment,” the AP reported.

According to Sharma, commercial printing companies outperformed the broader market during the last two recessions.

The cream of the crop? Sharma rates RR Donnelley and American Reprographics as “buy” based on their stability and value. On the other hand, Deluxe Corp. earned a “neutral,” in light of dwindling check usage.