Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for DGX Earnings

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for Quest Diagnostics in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the medical research company will post earnings per share of $2.32 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $2.27. The consensus estimate for Quest Diagnostics’ current full-year earnings is $9.70 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Quest Diagnostics’ Q3 2026 earnings at $2.70 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.26 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.59 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.89 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $11.21 EPS.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Baird R W cut Quest Diagnostics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 25th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $196.31.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 1.2%

NYSE DGX traded up $2.27 during trading on Thursday, hitting $189.12. 278,437 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,102,239. Quest Diagnostics has a 12-month low of $148.70 and a 12-month high of $197.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $182.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $178.11. The firm has a market cap of $21.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.19, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.58.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The medical research company reported $2.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.51 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $2.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.73 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.91% and a return on equity of 15.47%. The firm’s revenue was up 13.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.30 EPS. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.760-9.840 EPS.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 13th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 13th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Quest Diagnostics’s payout ratio is presently 37.56%.

Insider Activity at Quest Diagnostics

In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 227 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.13, for a total value of $42,705.51. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 38,117 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,170,951.21. This trade represents a 0.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gary M. Pfeiffer sold 1,482 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.40, for a total transaction of $270,316.80. Following the sale, the director owned 29,431 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,368,214.40. This trade represents a 4.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 38,654 shares of company stock worth $7,189,232. 8.16% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Boston Partners purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 1st quarter valued at $388,724,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $238,122,000. M&G PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 256.5% in the second quarter. M&G PLC now owns 1,072,721 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $193,090,000 after buying an additional 771,824 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 9.0% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,984,238 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $1,012,534,000 after acquiring an additional 493,960 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 2,531.6% in the 3rd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 450,898 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $85,932,000 after acquiring an additional 433,764 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Quest Diagnostics Company Profile

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.