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Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
NYSE:DFIN
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Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN) AI Stock Analysis

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DFIN

Donnelley Financial Solutions

(NYSE:DFIN)

Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
$55.00
▲(5.93% Upside)
Donnelley Financial Solutions' overall stock score is driven by its strong financial performance and positive earnings call, which highlight profitability and strategic growth in software solutions. However, technical analysis indicates bearish momentum, and valuation metrics are moderate. The new share repurchase program is a positive corporate event, enhancing shareholder value.
Positive Factors
Software Revenue Growth
Software revenue grew at a healthy pace organically and now makes up over 40% of the company's revenue.
Stock Buyback
The company has stepped up its buyback program, repurchasing approximately 5% of its outstanding shares.
Valuation
The shares are trading at an attractive FY26 P/E multiple, presenting a favorable risk-reward scenario for small-cap investors.
Negative Factors
Capital Markets Activity
DFIN's fourth-quarter results missed expectations on both the top and bottom line due to soft capital markets activity.
Capital Markets Outlook
There is uncertainty in short-term capital markets volumes due to ongoing market volatility.
Revenue Expectations
DFIN's revenue for the second quarter fell below expectations due to decreased print revenue.

Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Donnelley Financial Solutions Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDonnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. operates as a risk and compliance solutions company worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Capital Markets – Software Solutions (CM-SS), Capital Markets – Compliance and Communications Management (CM-CCM), Investment Companies – Software Solutions (IC-SS), and Investment Companies – Compliance and Communications Management (IC-CCM). The CM-SS segment provides Venue, ActiveDisclosure, eBrevia, and other solutions to public and private companies to manage public and private transaction processes, extract data, and analyze contracts; collaborate; and tag, validate, and file SEC documents. The CM-CCM segment offers tech-enabled services and print and distribution solutions to public and private companies for deal solutions and SEC compliance requirements. The IC-SS segment provides clients with the Arc Suite platform that contains a comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions and services that enable storage and management of compliance and regulatory information in a self-service and central repository for accessing, assembling, editing, translating, rendering, and submitting documents to regulators. The IC-CCM segment offers clients with tech-enabled solutions for creating and filing regulatory communications and solutions for investor communications, as well as XBRL-formatted filings pursuant to the Investment Act, through the SEC EDGAR system. This segment also provides turnkey proxy services, including discovery, planning and implementation, print and mail management, solicitation, tabulation services, shareholder meeting review, and expert support. Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyDFIN makes money through a combination of subscription fees, transaction-based revenues, and professional services. The company offers cloud-based software solutions that clients pay for on a subscription basis, which provides a steady stream of recurring revenue. Additionally, DFIN generates income from transaction fees related to capital markets activities, such as initial public offerings (IPOs) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Professional services, including consulting and implementation support, also contribute to the company's earnings. DFIN's strategic partnerships with financial institutions and technology providers enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach, further driving revenue growth.

Donnelley Financial Solutions Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -18.70%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant achievements in software solutions net sales, strong adjusted EBITDA margins, and positive free cash flow. However, these were offset by notable declines in total net sales, a weak capital markets transactional environment, and decreased print and distribution revenue. The company remains optimistic about its strategic transformation and long-term growth, but current market conditions present challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly Software Solutions Net Sales
The company achieved record quarterly net sales in its software solutions segment, with an approximately 8% sales growth, including 15% growth in recurring compliance software offerings.
Strong Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The second quarter adjusted EBITDA margin was 35%, the second highest in the company's history, and the trailing 4-quarter EBITDA margin stands at 29.1%.
Positive Free Cash Flow
The company generated $51.7 million in free cash flow, which is $14.9 million higher than the second quarter of 2024.
Share Repurchase Program
The Board authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $150 million, replacing the prior authorization.
Momentum in Recurring Compliance Software Products
ActiveDisclosure and Arc Suite posted double-digit sales growth for the third consecutive quarter, with both growing approximately 15% year-over-year in aggregate.
Negative Updates
Decline in Total Net Sales
Total net sales for the second quarter of 2025 were $218.1 million, a decrease of $24.6 million or 10.1% from the second quarter of 2024.
Weak Capital Markets Transactional Environment
Capital markets transactional revenue declined approximately $13 million year-over-year, primarily due to a depressed level of activity.
Decrease in Print and Distribution Net Sales
Print and distribution net sales declined by approximately $14 million or 26% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Lower Compliance Revenue
Compliance revenue decreased by $31.2 million in aggregate, with $19 million attributed to a decline in capital markets and investment companies businesses.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of 2025, Donnelley Financial Solutions reported strong results amid challenging market conditions. Key metrics highlighted during the call include a record quarterly software solutions net sales with approximately 8% growth, and a robust adjusted EBITDA margin of 35%, marking the second highest in their history. The company also achieved year-over-year net sales growth of approximately 15% in recurring compliance software offerings such as ActiveDisclosure and Arc Suite. Despite a 10.1% decrease in total net sales to $218.1 million, driven by declines in print and distribution and capital markets transactional activities, the company's software solutions sales increased by 7.7%, reflecting a strategic shift towards more stable, recurring revenue streams. The company also reported an increase in free cash flow to $51.7 million, up $14.9 million from the previous year, and maintained a non-GAAP net leverage ratio of 0.7x. Looking ahead, the company provided guidance for the third quarter with expected net sales between $165 million and $175 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 23% to 25%.

Donnelley Financial Solutions Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Donnelley Financial Solutions presents a solid financial profile with strong profitability and effective leverage management. High profit margins and a balanced debt structure are positive, but declining revenue growth and negative free cash flow growth require attention.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Donnelley Financial Solutions demonstrated strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 68% TTM, which improved from the previous year. Net profit margin stood at 11.6% TTM, indicating stable profit generation. However, the revenue growth has been declining with a 1.2% decrease TTM. The EBIT and EBITDA margins, at 11.9% and 26.2% respectively, reflect healthy operational efficiency despite the revenue downturn.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, suggesting a balanced leverage. Return on equity is strong at 21.5% TTM, showcasing effective use of shareholders' equity. However, the equity ratio is at 49.2%, indicating a moderate reliance on liabilities to finance assets. Overall, the balance sheet reflects financial stability with room for improvement in asset management.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 1.79, indicating efficient cash generation from operations. Free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.05, suggesting that most of the earnings translate into free cash flow. However, the free cash flow growth rate has been negative, necessitating improved cash management strategies.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue755.00M781.90M797.20M833.60M993.30M894.50M
Gross Profit439.20M484.00M463.90M463.40M580.20M398.50M
EBITDA196.60M209.70M192.00M212.00M290.50M82.20M
Net Income82.10M92.40M82.20M102.50M145.90M-25.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets874.70M841.60M806.90M828.30M883.30M865.60M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments33.80M57.30M23.10M34.20M54.50M73.60M
Total Debt203.90M141.40M150.60M213.90M181.30M301.30M
Total Liabilities442.60M405.50M404.70M498.80M506.30M617.80M
Stockholders Equity432.10M436.10M402.20M329.50M377.00M247.80M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow109.30M105.20M62.20M96.00M137.70M123.10M
Operating Cash Flow173.50M171.10M124.00M150.20M180.00M154.20M
Investing Cash Flow-64.10M-53.30M-51.30M-50.90M-45.00M-19.80M
Financing Cash Flow-111.10M-82.10M-84.60M-121.10M-154.90M-77.50M

Donnelley Financial Solutions Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price51.92
Price Trends
50DMA
59.38
Negative
100DMA
53.35
Negative
200DMA
56.39
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.43
Positive
RSI
31.40
Neutral
STOCH
13.62
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For DFIN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 51.92 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 59.01, below the 50-day MA of 59.38, and below the 200-day MA of 56.39, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.43 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 31.40 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 13.62 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for DFIN.

Donnelley Financial Solutions Risk Analysis

Donnelley Financial Solutions disclosed 32 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Donnelley Financial Solutions reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Donnelley Financial Solutions Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$5.65B27.5945.36%3.64%42.85%1398.33%
76
Outperform
$6.15B30.32106.47%0.56%18.40%54.77%
75
Outperform
$11.41B21.5911.11%1.58%8.75%10.32%
74
Outperform
$30.30B25.9029.46%0.32%29.23%13.45%
74
Outperform
$9.13B11.0821.71%3.75%-2.79%1.33%
65
Neutral
$1.43B18.3318.80%-5.93%-19.77%
63
Neutral
€2.31B27.884.40%2.79%4.53%-66.68%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
DFIN
Donnelley Financial Solutions
51.92
-10.86
-17.30%
LPLA
LPL Financial
369.84
170.38
85.42%
SF
Stifel Financial
111.64
32.82
41.64%
MC
Moelis
70.02
12.19
21.08%
PJT
PJT Partners
176.56
58.41
49.44%
XP
XP
17.32
0.16
0.93%

Donnelley Financial Solutions Corporate Events

Shareholder MeetingsStock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
Donnelley Financial Solutions Announces New Share Repurchase Program
Positive
May 19, 2025

On May 14, 2025, Donnelley Financial Solutions held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where all nominated directors were elected, an advisory resolution on executive compensation was approved, an amendment to the 2016 Performance Incentive Plan was passed, and Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2025. Following the meeting, on May 15, 2025, the Board authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $150 million, effective through December 31, 2026, replacing the previous program with $15 million remaining. This initiative reflects the company’s strategic approach to managing its capital and enhancing shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (DFIN) stock is a Buy with a $80.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Donnelley Financial Solutions stock, see the DFIN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 06, 2025