FY2025 EPS Estimate for Quest Diagnostics Lifted by Analyst

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) – Analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2025 EPS estimates for Quest Diagnostics in a research note issued on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the medical research company will post earnings per share of $9.77 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $9.73. 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 $2.34 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.76 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.47 EPS and Q2 2027 earnings at $2.82 EPS.

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

DGX has been the subject of several other research reports. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Leerink Partners lifted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $203.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $207.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Baird R W lowered Quest Diagnostics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $196.31.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 2.5%

Shares of Quest Diagnostics stock opened at $188.85 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.01 billion, a PE ratio of 22.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.58. Quest Diagnostics has a 52 week low of $148.70 and a 52 week high of $197.55. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $182.60 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $178.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.13.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 13th will be given 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 37.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics

In other news, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 1,975 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.00, for a total value of $365,375.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 15,269 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,824,765. The trade was a 11.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 227 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $188.13, for a total transaction of $42,705.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 38,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,170,951.21. The trade was a 0.59% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 38,654 shares of company stock valued at $7,189,232 in the last 90 days. 8.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.5% during the third quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 5.9% in the first quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 1,059 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $179,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance boosted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 1.4% in the third quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 4,232 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $807,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. True North Advisors LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. True North Advisors LLC now owns 1,554 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $296,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, OLD Second National Bank of Aurora raised its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 14.9% in the 3rd quarter. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora now owns 517 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.