Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for DGX Earnings

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) – Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q2 2025 EPS estimates for Quest Diagnostics in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 13th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the medical research company will earn $2.55 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $2.50. The consensus estimate for Quest Diagnostics’ current full-year earnings is $9.70 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Quest Diagnostics’ Q4 2025 earnings at $2.42 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $9.69 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.42 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.67 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.70 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.68 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.48 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.63 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $11.12 EPS.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.63 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.80% and a return on equity of 15.07%.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on DGX. StockNews.com lowered shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Redburn Partners set a $195.00 price target on Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Citigroup downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $185.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $185.73.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of Quest Diagnostics stock opened at $172.27 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market cap of $19.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.40, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52. Quest Diagnostics has a 1 year low of $135.47 and a 1 year high of $179.32. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $169.78 and its 200 day moving average is $163.25.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Boston Partners acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 1st quarter valued at $388,724,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 42.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,490,278 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $828,265,000 after purchasing an additional 1,637,525 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at about $191,823,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 60.4% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,433,913 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $367,180,000 after buying an additional 916,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 83.7% in the fourth quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,093,042 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $164,896,000 after purchasing an additional 497,995 shares during the period. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 604 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.99, for a total value of $103,277.96. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 39,845 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,813,096.55. This represents a 1.49% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO J. E. Davis sold 39,191 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.46, for a total value of $6,602,115.86. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 127,623 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,499,370.58. This trade represents a 23.49% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 55,124 shares of company stock valued at $9,341,875 over the last three months. 8.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.86%. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.46%.

About Quest Diagnostics

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.