Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) Shares Purchased by National Bank of Canada FI

National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) by 226.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 102,258 shares of the medical research company’s stock after acquiring an additional 70,922 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI owned about 0.09% of Quest Diagnostics worth $14,400,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DGX. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $205,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 112.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 36,093 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $4,368,000 after buying an additional 19,142 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 8.8% during the 3rd quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd now owns 25,110 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $3,060,000 after buying an additional 2,025 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 45,910 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $5,595,000 after buying an additional 1,281 shares during the period. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 3rd quarter valued at $506,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of DGX stock opened at $136.15 on Thursday. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 12 month low of $119.59 and a 12 month high of $145.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.88. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $130.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $132.04.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 23rd. The medical research company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.18. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.11% and a return on equity of 15.52%. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.04 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $138.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. TheStreet cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “b-” rating to a “c” rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $140.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $146.17.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total value of $83,378.54. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 40,206 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,071,584.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.64, for a total transaction of $316,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,329 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,067,904.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total transaction of $83,378.54. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 40,206 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,071,584.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 16,910 shares of company stock worth $2,159,602. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.