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Stock to Watch: Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic information services to a broad range of customers within its primary channels of physicians, hospitals, patients and consumers. The company provides services to integrated delivery networks throughout the United States through its Collaborative Lab Solutions (formerly, Professional Laboratory Services) offerings. These services help customers build and execute laboratory strategies, improve quality, reduce healthcare costs and focus on core competencies. The company is a key provider of reference testing for approximately half of U.S. hospitals.

DGX is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Medical stock. DGX has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 2.8% over the past four weeks.

One analyst revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $11.17 per share. DGX also boasts an average earnings surprise of +6.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, DGX should be on investors' short list.

Key Takeaways DGX's Q3 earnings rose 15.4% to $3 per share, while sales climbed 10% to $3.10 billion, beating estimates. DGX's testing volumes grew 14.5%, while its adjusted operating margin expanded 40 bps to 16.7%. DGX raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $12.065-$12.105 billion and adjusted EPS outlook to $11.25-$11.35. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.00 per share, up 15.4% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.3%. 

GAAP earnings were $2.78 per share, up 28.7% from the prior-year figure.

Revenues rose 10% year over year to $3.10 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%. Growth was supported by strong testing demand across physician, hospital and consumer channels, with organic requisition volume increasing 14.4%.

DGX’s shares have lost nearly 1.6% in pre-market trading following the earnings report.

Quest's Diagnostic Services Revenues ClimbDiagnostic Information Services revenues increased 10.2% year over year to $3.04 billion. The business accounted for nearly all consolidated revenues, reflecting continued strength across the company's core testing channels.

Total requisition volume increased 14.5% year over year, while organic requisition volume climbed 14.4%. However, revenue per requisition declined 4.2%, partially offsetting the benefits of higher testing volumes. Despite the lower revenue per requisition, robust testing demand helped sustain double-digit revenue growth.

DGX's Margin Performance ImprovesThe cost of services during the reported quarter was $2.06 billion, up 10.1% year over year. Gross profit increased 9.8% to $1.04 billion from $949 million in the year-ago quarter. The gross margin remained relatively stable at approximately 33.6%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $523 million, increasing 4.4% year over year. Reported operating income surged 24.2% to $479 million, while the operating margin expanded 180 basis points to 15.5%.

Adjusted operating income increased 13% to $517 million. The adjusted operating margin improved 40 basis points to 16.7%, reflecting stronger operating profitability.

Quest Strengthens Cash Flow and LiquidityQuest Diagnostics exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $797 million compared with $626 million at the end of the second quarter. The company generated $611 million in operating cash flow during the quarter, up 8.8% from $563 million a year ago.

For the first nine months of 2026, operating cash flow increased 4.6% to $1.49 billion. Capital expenditures totaled $418 million, up 13.3% year over year. During the same period, the company spent $252 million on share repurchases and paid $279 million in dividends.

DGX Raises 2026 Revenue and Earnings OutlookQuest Diagnostics raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $12.065-$12.105 billion from the previous projection of $11.95-$12.05 billion. The updated outlook represents expected revenue growth of 9.3-9.7%.  The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $12.01 billion, indicating an increase of 8.9% from the year-ago figure.

The company increased its adjusted earnings guidance to $11.25-$11.35 per share from $11.05-$11.25. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the metric is pegged at $11.15.

Quest Advances Diagnostics and Strategic PartnershipsQuest Diagnostics expanded its Alzheimer's disease testing portfolio by adding Roche's FDA-cleared Elecsys Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma blood test to its AD-Detect menu. It also launched a new panel combining pTau217, amyloid beta and APOE biomarkers to support diagnosis and treatment decisions.

On the partnership front, Quest finalized an agreement to acquire select outreach laboratory assets from a Northeastern U.S. health system. It also advanced its Co-Lab Solutions implementation and joint venture laboratory with Corewell Health in Michigan.

Our View on DGX StockQuest Diagnostics ended the third quarter of 2026 with earnings and revenues surpassing their respective estimates. Revenue growth was driven by sustained demand for diagnostic testing services, supported by contributions from the company’s expanding laboratory operations. Productivity improvements from automation and artificial intelligence also supported the company's performance. Driven by the robust third-quarter performance, Quest Diagnostics raised its full-year 2026 guidance. 

Additionally, the improvement in operating margin during the quarter is a positive development.

DGX’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksQuest Diagnostics currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) , Agilent Technologies (A - Free Report) and Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) .

Phibro Animal Health, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of 85 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 18.06%. Revenues of $396.7 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.35%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

PAHC has an earnings yield of 8.9% compared with the industry’s 2.8%. The company beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.36%.

Agilent Technologies,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.62, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.5%. Revenues of $1.88 billion topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.1%.

A has an earnings yield of 3.7% compared with the industry’s 2.8%. The company’s earnings outpaced estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, broke even once and missed on another one, the average surprise being 3.8%.

Globus Medical,carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.34, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.6%. Revenues of $789.6 million outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.4%.

GMED has an estimated earnings yield of 6.6% against the industry’s 2.3% decline. The company’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.9%.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Myriad Genetics Sees Stock Surge with Hereditary Cancer TestsQuest Diagnostics NYSE: DGX reported third-quarter 2026 revenue growth of 10% and adjusted earnings-per-share growth of more than 15%, citing demand across its physician, hospital and consumer channels as well as productivity gains from automation and artificial intelligence. The company raised and narrowed its full-year revenue and earnings outlook.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Jim Davis said the company’s organic growth reflected expanding clinical needs among an aging population and increased consumer interest in preventive health and wellness. “We grew revenues 10% and adjusted earnings per share over 15% in the quarter,” Davis said.

Get Quest Diagnostics alerts:

Third-Quarter Results
LifeMD Shares Come Back to Life on GLP-1 Business Growth Chief Financial Officer Sam Samad said consolidated revenue totaled $3.1 billion, up 10% from the prior-year quarter. Diagnostic information services revenue increased 10.2%, or 10.1% organically.

Total requisition volume rose 14.5%, while organic volume increased 14.4%. Quest’s relationships with Corewell Health and Fresenius Medical Care accounted for 9.5% of quarterly volume. Excluding those relationships, volume increased 5%.

Exact Sciences Serves Investors Exactly What They Wished For Revenue per requisition declined 4.2% on a reported basis because of the business mix associated with Corewell and Fresenius. Excluding those relationships, revenue per requisition increased 1.7%, driven mainly by a greater number of tests per requisition. Unit-price reimbursement was generally flat, Samad said.

Reported operating income was $479 million, or 15.5% of revenue, compared with $386 million, or 13.7% of revenue, a year earlier.
Adjusted operating income was $517 million, or 16.7% of revenue, up from $458 million, or 16.3% of revenue, in the prior-year period.
Reported diluted EPS was $2.78, compared with $2.16 a year earlier.
Adjusted diluted EPS rose 15.4% to $3.00 from $2.60.
Year-to-date cash from operations was $1.49 billion, compared with $1.42 billion in the prior year.

The 40-basis-point improvement in adjusted operating margin was driven by organic revenue growth, partly offset by wage increases and the mix effect from the Corewell and Fresenius businesses, according to Samad.

Channel Growth and Consumer Health Plans
Davis said the physician channel posted high-single-digit revenue growth, while the hospital channel grew revenue by double digits, aided by Co-Lab Solutions with Corewell Health in Michigan. Hospital reference-testing revenue grew in the mid-single digits.

The company also finalized a definitive agreement to acquire select outreach assets from a longtime Co-Lab customer, described as a leading health system in the Northeastern U.S. Quest expects the transaction to close later this year.

Consumer health remains a faster-growing channel, with Quest expecting growth exceeding 30% for the full year. The company announced that iPhone and iPad users will be able to order laboratory tests through the Apple Health app. The offering, expected to fully launch later this year, will allow users to purchase, schedule and receive results for more than 50 biomarkers, including ApoB and Lp(a), through the app.

The panel will also include biometric measurements such as blood pressure and weight when blood is drawn at one of Quest’s 2,000 patient service centers. Davis said the service will be priced at $119. Samad said consumer health margins are accretive to Quest’s overall operating margins because of dense test requisitions and the absence of denials and patient concessions.

Diagnostics, Automation and Kidney Care
Quest said key advanced-diagnostics tests grew revenue by double digits in areas including cardiometabolic testing, hormone testing and Alzheimer’s disease testing. Davis said the company plans to add the FDA-cleared Roche p-tau217 test to its portfolio and has launched an AD-Detect panel including APOE, amyloid beta and p-tau217 biomarkers.

In women’s health, Quest formed an industry collaboration with Waters Corporation to provide access to Onclarity self-collection kits through clinical, health-plan and consumer-health channels. Quest expects to introduce the at-home option next year.

The company remains on track to achieve 3% in annual cost savings and productivity improvements through its Invigorate program. During the quarter, Quest expanded automated specimen aliquoting to three drug-monitoring laboratories, bringing the total number of labs using the technology to 10. It also began using AI at its Clifton, New Jersey, laboratory to scan dialysis water for microbes and impurities.

Quest’s Project Nova initiative, which is intended to enhance provider and patient experiences, moved from the design phase to the solutions-build phase. The company expects to begin deploying Epic Solutions in its first laboratory in fall 2027. Project Nova is expected to reduce 2026 EPS by $0.25, with about 70% of that expense incurred in the second half of the year.

Raised Outlook and PAMA Concerns
Quest now expects full-year 2026 revenue of $12.065 billion to $12.105 billion, representing growth of 9.3% to 9.7%. The company projected reported EPS of $10.21 to $10.31 and adjusted EPS of $11.25 to $11.35. It expects approximately $1.9 billion in operating cash flow and about $550 million in capital expenditures.

Management also addressed the preliminary 2027 rate-setting process under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, or PAMA. Samad said Quest estimates the 2027 PAMA effect at about 1% of total company revenue, with the cumulative effect for 2027 through 2029 expected to be less than 1.3% of revenue.

Davis said the company intends to offset a portion of the potential impact through efficiencies, while preserving investments that support growth, frontline staffing and laboratory operations. Quest and the American Clinical Laboratory Association continue to support the RESULTS Act, legislation intended to reform the PAMA data-collection process.

Separately, Samad said Quest learned of unauthorized access to a test-ordering system used by certain clients that do not use an electronic medical record system. He said the incident had not materially disrupted operations or the company’s ability to serve physicians and patients, while noting that the investigation remains in its early stages.

About Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated NYSE: DGX is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing that helps physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers diagnose, treat and monitor diseases and health conditions. Its services include routine blood and other specimen testing, pathology, molecular and genetic testing, and specialized diagnostic services.

Quest Diagnostics serves a broad range of customers, including hospitals, physician practices, health plans, employers, government agencies and individual consumers.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Third quarter revenues of $3.10 billion, up 10.0% from 2025, on strong organic revenue growth
Third quarter reported diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.78, up 28.7% from 2025; and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.00, up 15.4% from 2025
Full year 2026 revenues now expected to be between $12.065 billion and $12.105 billion
Full year 2026 reported diluted EPS now expected to be between $10.21 and $10.31; and adjusted diluted EPS expected to be between $11.25 and $11.35

, /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

"We delivered revenue growth of 10% and adjusted EPS growth of over 15% on continued strength across our physician, hospital and consumer channels, complemented by productivity gains from automation and AI," said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President. "Our robust organic revenue growth demonstrates that our solutions are fulfilling the expanding clinical care needs of an aging population as well as the increasing number of people focused on prevention and wellness. With these growth trends and our strong performance, we are raising our revenue and EPS guidance for the full year."

Recent Highlights:

Announced the ability for iPhone and iPad users in the United States to conveniently purchase a tailored Quest laboratory test panel with over 50 biomarkers directly through the Apple Health app, available to the public later this year.
Finalized a definitive agreement to acquire select outreach lab assets from a leading health system and long-time Co-Lab Solutions customer in the Northeastern U.S. Continued to advance our Co-Lab Solutions implementation and joint venture lab with Corewell Health in Michigan.
Extended our AD-Detect® menu to include the FDA-cleared Roche Elecsys® Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma (pTau217) blood test and launched a new AD-Detect test panel with pTau217, amyloid beta and APOE to help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions for Alzheimer's disease.
Advanced Project Nova from the design phase to the solutions-build phase and continue to expect to deploy Epic solutions in our first lab in the fall of 2027.

The company will hold its 2027 Investor Day on March 25, 2027, at the New York Stock Exchange. Additional information will be provided closer to the event.

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2026

2025

Change

2026

2025

Change

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Reported:

Net revenues

$       3,097

$       2,816

10.0 %

$     9,035

$     8,229

9.8 %

Diagnostic Information Services revenues

$       3,035

$       2,755

10.2 %

$     8,845

$     8,043

10.0 %

Revenue per requisition

(4.2) %

(2.8) %

Requisition volume

14.5 %

12.9 %

  Organic requisition volume

14.4 %

12.8 %

Operating income (a)

$          479

$          386

24.2 %

$     1,337

$     1,170

14.3 %

Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (a)

15.5 %

13.7 %

1.8 %

14.8 %

14.2 %

0.6 %

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics (a)

$          312

$          245

27.6 %

$         884

$         747

18.4 %

Diluted EPS (a)

$         2.78

$         2.16

28.7 %

$        7.86

$        6.57

19.6 %

Cash provided by operations

$          611

$          563

8.8 %

$     1,486

$     1,421

4.6 %

Capital expenditures

$          166

$          144

15.0 %

$         418

$         369

13.2 %

Adjusted (a):

Operating income

$          517

$          458

13.0 %

$     1,466

$     1,330

10.3 %

Operating income as a percentage of net revenues

16.7 %

16.3 %

0.4 %

16.2 %

16.2 %

— %

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics

$          338

$          296

14.2 %

$         969

$         845

14.7 %

Diluted EPS

$         3.00

$         2.60

15.4 %

$        8.62

$        7.43

16.0 %

(a)

For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to operating income, operating income as a percentage of net revenues, net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.

Updated Guidance for Full Year 2026

The company updates its full year 2026 guidance as follows:

Updated Guidance

Prior Guidance

Low

High

Low

High

Net revenues

$12.065 billion

$12.105 billion

$11.95 billion

$12.05 billion

Net revenues increase

9.3 %

9.7 %

8.3 %

9.2 %

Reported diluted EPS

$10.21

$10.31

$9.97

$10.17

Adjusted diluted EPS

$11.25

$11.35

$11.05

$11.25

Cash provided by operations

Approximately $1.90 billion

Approximately $1.80 billion

Capital expenditures

  Approximately $550 million

Approximately $550 million

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted" refers to non-GAAP operating performance measures that exclude special items such as restructuring and integration charges, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ("ETB") associated with stock-based compensation, gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments and other items.

Non-GAAP adjusted measures are presented because management believes those measures are useful adjuncts to GAAP results. Non-GAAP adjusted measures should not be considered as an alternative to the corresponding measures determined under GAAP. Management may use these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, to establish operational budgets and forecasts and for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and analysts to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business and to assess our performance. The additional tables attached below include reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted measures to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information

Quest Diagnostics will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss financial results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today.  The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, passcode: 7895081; or via live webcast on our website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor.  We suggest participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or, from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026 until midnight Eastern Time on November 5, 2026, by phone at 866-388-5361 for domestic callers or 203-369-0416 for international callers.  Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read our periodic reports, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We help connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, our insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three adult Americans each year, and our nearly 60,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, the impact of the incident described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2026, uncertain and volatile economic conditions, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, the complexity of billing, reimbursement and revenue recognition for clinical laboratory testing, changes in government policies, including related to trade, and regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers or strategic partners, acquisitions and other factors discussed in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the company's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including those discussed in the "Business," "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of those reports.

This earnings release, including the attached financial tables, is available online in the Newsroom section at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

ADDITIONAL TABLES FOLLOW

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 and 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

Net revenues

$    3,097

$    2,816

$  9,035

$    8,229

Operating costs and expenses and other operating income:

Cost of services

2,055

1,867

6,024

5,474

Selling, general and administrative

523

501

1,556

1,463

Amortization of intangible assets

37

39

112

117

Other operating expense, net

3

23

6

5

Total operating costs and expenses, net

2,618

2,430

7,698

7,059

Operating income

479

386

1,337

1,170

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net

(61)

(66)

(187)

(200)

Other (expense) income, net

(2)

8

12

18

Total non-operating expense, net

(63)

(58)

(175)

(182)

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method investees

416

328

1,162

988

Income tax expense

(99)

(77)

(261)

(233)

Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes

9

8

23

35

Net income

326

259

924

790

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

14

14

40

43

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics

$       312

$       245

$     884

$       747

Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Basic

$      2.82

$      2.18

$    7.97

$      6.66

Diluted

$      2.78

$      2.16

$    7.86

$      6.57

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

110

112

110

112

Diluted

112

113

112

113

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)

September 30,
2026

December 31,
2025

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$                 797

$                420

Accounts receivable, net

1,712

1,408

Inventories

218

189

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

390

361

Total current assets

3,117

2,378

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,275

2,203

Operating lease right-of-use assets

670

657

Goodwill

9,112

8,945

Intangible assets, net

1,634

1,636

Investments in equity method investees

139

136

Other assets

274

270

Total assets

$            17,221

$           16,225

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$              1,643

$             1,600

Current portion of long-term debt

10

504

Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities

181

174

Total current liabilities

1,834

2,278

Long-term debt

5,540

5,167

Long-term operating lease liabilities

554

537

Other liabilities

1,262

957

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

81

80

Stockholders' equity:

Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 600 shares authorized as of both September 30, 2026
and December 31, 2025; 162 shares issued as of both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025

2

2

Additional paid-in capital

2,397

2,381

Retained earnings

10,593

9,994

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(66)

(27)

Treasury stock, at cost; 52 shares as of both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025

(5,294)

(5,180)

Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity

7,632

7,170

Noncontrolling interests

318

36

Total stockholders' equity

7,950

7,206

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$            17,221

$           16,225

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 and 2025

(in millions)

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2026

2025

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$              924

$              790

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

440

425

Provision for credit losses

5

2

Deferred income tax expense

155

118

Stock-based compensation expense

63

63

Other, net

22

37

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(308)

(153)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

244

113

Income taxes payable

(24)

(1)

Other assets and liabilities, net

(35)

27

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,486

1,421

Cash flows from investing activities:

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(39)

(51)

Capital expenditures

(418)

(369)

Other investing activities, net

2

(20)

Net cash used in investing activities

(455)

(440)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from borrowings

494

410

Repayments of debt

(504)

(1,011)

Purchases of treasury stock

(252)

(150)

Exercise of stock options

108

61

Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based compensation plans

(40)

(44)

Dividends paid

(279)

(263)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners

(35)

(43)

Contributions from noncontrolling interest partners

25

—

Other financing activities, net

(169)

(61)

Net cash used in financing activities

(652)

(1,101)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

(2)

3

Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

377

(117)

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

420

549

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$              797

$              432

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

$              151

$              167

Income taxes

$              142

$              112

Notes to Financial Tables

1)  The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

(in millions, except per share data)

Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics

$           312

$           245

$           884

$           747

Less: earnings allocated to participating securities

2

2

4

4

Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and diluted

$           310

$           243

$           880

$           743

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

110

112

110

112

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options and performance share units

2

1

2

1

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

112

113

112

113

Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:

Basic

$          2.82

$          2.18

$          7.97

$          6.66

Diluted

$          2.78

$          2.16

$          7.86

$          6.57

2)  The following tables reconcile reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjusted results:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2026

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Operating
income

Operating
income as a
percentage of
net revenues

Income tax
expense (e)

Equity in
earnings of
equity method
investees, net
of taxes

Net income
attributable to

 Quest
Diagnostics

Diluted EPS

As reported

$                 479

15.5 %

$                  (99)

$                     9

$                 312

$                2.78

Restructuring and integration charges (a)

3

0.1

—

—

3

0.02

Other charges (b)

4

0.1

—

—

4

0.03

Gains and losses on investments (c)

—

—

(1)

1

3

0.02

Other gains (d)

(6)

(0.2)

1

—

(5)

(0.04)

Amortization expense

37

1.2

(10)

—

27

0.24

ETB

—

—

(6)

—

(6)

(0.05)

As adjusted

$                 517

16.7 %

$                (115)

$                   10

$                 338

$                3.00

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Operating
income

Operating
income as a
percentage of
net revenues

Income tax
expense (e)

Equity in
earnings of
equity method
investees, net
of taxes

Net income
attributable to
Quest
Diagnostics

Diluted EPS

As reported

$              1,337

14.8 %

$                (261)

$                   23

$                 884

$                7.86

Restructuring and integration charges (a)

14

0.2

(3)

—

11

0.10

Other charges (b)

9

0.1

—

—

9

0.08

Gains and losses on investments (c)

—

—

(3)

7

7

0.06

Other gains (d)

(6)

(0.1)

1

—

(5)

(0.04)

Amortization expense

112

1.2

(29)

—

83

0.74

ETB

—

—

(20)

—

(20)

(0.18)

As adjusted

$              1,466

16.2 %

$                (315)

$                   30

$                 969

$                8.62

Three Months Ended September 30, 2025

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Operating
income

Operating
income as a
percentage of
net revenues

Income tax
expense (e)

Equity in
earnings of
equity method
investees, net
of taxes

Net income
attributable to
Quest
Diagnostics

Diluted EPS

As reported

$                 386

13.7 %

$                  (77)

$                     8

$                 245

$                2.16

Restructuring and integration charges (a)

11

0.4

(2)

—

9

0.07

Other charges (b)

22

0.8

(6)

—

16

0.15

Amortization expense

39

1.4

(10)

—

29

0.25

ETB

—

—

(3)

—

(3)

(0.03)

As adjusted

$                 458

16.3 %

$                  (98)

$                     8

$                 296

$                2.60

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Operating
income

Operating
income as a
percentage of
net revenues

Income tax
expense (e)

Equity in
earnings of
equity method
investees, net
of taxes

Net income

attributable to
Quest
Diagnostics

Diluted EPS

As reported

$              1,170

14.2 %

$                (233)

$                   35

$                 747

$                6.57

Restructuring and integration charges (a)

37

0.5

(9)

—

28

0.24

Other charges (b)

52

0.6

(12)

—

40

0.36

Gains and losses on investments (c)

—

—

1

(1)

(2)

(0.01)

Other gains (d)

(46)

(0.5)

14

(8)

(40)

(0.36)

Amortization expense

117

1.4

(30)

—

87

0.76

ETB

—

—

(15)

—

(15)

(0.13)

As adjusted

$              1,330

16.2 %

$                (284)

$                   26

$                 845

$                7.43

(a)

For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, the pre-tax impact represents costs primarily associated with workforce reductions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business.  The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of restructuring and integration charges on our consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2026

2025

2026

2025

(dollars in millions)

Cost of services

$               1

$               1

$               3

$               8

Selling, general and administrative

2

10

11

29

Operating income

$               3

$             11

$             14

$             37

(b)

The three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 include pre-tax losses associated with the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions, recorded in other operating expense, net.  Additionally, both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 include a $15 million pre-tax charge to earnings related to legal matters, recorded in other operating expense, net.  Also, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 include pre-tax impairment charges of $5 million and $29 million, respectively, on certain long-lived assets related to the exit of a business, also recorded in other operating expense, net.                                       

(c)

For all periods presented, the pre-tax impact represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, principally recorded in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes, and other (expense) income, net.

(d)

Both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 primarily include $4 million of pre-tax gains, recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, related to insurance recoveries for certain legal matters.  The nine months ended September 30, 2025 includes a $46 million pre-tax gain, recorded in other operating expense, net, from a payroll tax credit under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act associated with the retention of employees.  Additionally, the nine months ended September 30, 2025 includes an $8 million pre-tax gain, recorded in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes, representing a non-recurring gain related to a lease.

(e)

For restructuring and integration charges, other gains/charges, gains and losses on investments, and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of 25.5% for both 2026 and 2025.  No income tax impact was recorded on losses associated with the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions.

3)

The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the full year 2026 before the impact of special items. Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2026. Additionally, the amount of ETB is dependent upon employee stock option exercises and our stock price, which are difficult to predict. The following table reconciles our 2026 outlook for diluted EPS under GAAP to our outlook for adjusted diluted EPS:

Low

High

Diluted EPS

$                                 10.21

$                                 10.31

Restructuring and integration charges (a)

0.13

0.13

Amortization expense (b)

0.99

0.99

Other charges (c)

0.11

0.11

Gains and losses on investments (d)

0.06

0.06

Other gains (e)

(0.04)

(0.04)

ETB

(0.21)

(0.21)

Adjusted diluted EPS

$                                 11.25

$                                 11.35

(a)

Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $20 million primarily associated with workforce reductions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. Income tax benefits were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

(b)

Represents estimated pre-tax amortization expenses of $149 million. Income tax benefits were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

(c)

Principally represents estimated pre-tax net losses of $9 million associated with the increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions. Such estimate is subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in the "Forward Looking Statements" section above. No income tax benefits are recorded on the changes associated with the contingent consideration accrual.

(d)

Represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments.  Income tax impacts were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

(e)

Principally represents a pre-tax gain related to insurance recoveries for certain legal matters.  Income tax impacts were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

Patients across the U.S. will soon have access to a new cervical cancer test collected from the comfort of their own home—no stirrups, speculum, or in-person doctor’s visit needed.

The life sciences company Waters is partnering with Quest Diagnostics to make Waters’ BD Onclarity HPV assay test available for use at home. The partnership, announced Tuesday, will begin making self-collection kits available in early 2027. The kit was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for at-home use in April 2026.

The test, which needs to be ordered by a clinician, will be delivered to patients. They can then collect a dry swab specimen and ship it back for testing, or drop it off at one of 2,000 Quest service centers.

The companies say the availability will allow cervical cancer screening to reach otherwise unserved or underserved populations.

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A need for preventionInfection with HPV—a virus typically transmitted through sexual activity—can be linked to nearly every case of cervical cancer. While most HPV types resolve on their own, certain high-risk genotypes can lead to cervical cancer when the infection persists.

Though it is the the fourth most common cancer in women—the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 13,490 new cases and 4,200 deaths in 2026—cervical cancer is among the most successfully treated forms of cancer, according to the World Health Organization. That makes regular testing crucial for prevention, but there are barriers to access.

Factors like geography, costs, lack of insurance, or lack of time to see a doctor can keep some patients from diagnostics and treatment. For others, it’s fear of a traditional pelvic exam that drives them away from testing. And for many others, it’s lack of awareness altogether.

Explore Topics

Cigna Group (NYSE:CI – Get Free Report) and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Insider & Institutional Ownership 87.0% of Cigna Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 88.1% of Quest Diagnostics shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Cigna Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of Quest Diagnostics shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability This table compares Cigna Group and Quest Diagnostics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cigna Group 2.27% 19.75% 5.34% Quest Diagnostics 9.18% 16.01% 7.27% Dividends Cigna Group pays an annual dividend of $6.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Quest Diagnostics pays an annual dividend of $3.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Cigna Group pays out 25.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Quest Diagnostics pays out 36.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cigna Group has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive years and Quest Diagnostics has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Cigna Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Volatility & Risk Cigna Group has a beta of 0.29, indicating that its stock price is 71% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Quest Diagnostics has a beta of 0.54, indicating that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Cigna Group and Quest Diagnostics, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cigna Group 0 8 15 0 2.65 Quest Diagnostics 0 6 5 1 2.58 Cigna Group currently has a consensus price target of $338.24, suggesting a potential upside of 11.82%. Quest Diagnostics has a consensus price target of $237.85, suggesting a potential upside of 1.27%. Given Cigna Group’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Cigna Group is more favorable than Quest Diagnostics.

Earnings and Valuation This table compares Cigna Group and Quest Diagnostics”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cigna Group $281.34 billion 0.28 $5.96 billion $24.17 12.51 Quest Diagnostics $11.04 billion 2.35 $992.00 million $9.42 24.93 Cigna Group has higher revenue and earnings than Quest Diagnostics. Cigna Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Quest Diagnostics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

About Cigna Group (Get Free Report)

The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers. The company's Cigna Healthcare segment offers medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, dental, and other products and services for insured and self-insured customers; Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D plans for seniors, as well as individual health insurance plans; and health care coverage in its international markets, as well as health care benefits for mobile individuals and employees of multinational organizations. In addition, it offers permanent insurance contracts sold to corporations to provide coverage on the lives of certain employees for financing employer-paid future benefit obligations. The company distributes its products and services through insurance brokers and consultants; directly to employers, unions and other groups, or individuals; and private and public exchanges. The company was formerly known as Cigna Corporation and changed its name to The Cigna Group in February 2023. The Cigna Group was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

(Get Free Report)

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. It offers diagnostic information services primarily under the Quest Diagnostics brand, as well as under the AmeriPath, Dermpath Diagnostics, ExamOne, and Quanum brands to physicians, hospitals, patients and consumers, health plans, government agencies, employers, retailers, pharmaceutical companies and insurers, and accountable care organizations through a network of laboratories, patient service centers, phlebotomists in physician offices, call centers and mobile phlebotomists, nurses, and other health and wellness professionals. The company also provides risk assessment services for the life insurance industry; and healthcare organizations and clinicians information technology solutions. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.

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Key Takeaways Quest Diagnostics' Q3 revenues are projected to rise 8.1% to $3.04 billion, with EPS up 9.6% to $2.85.
DGX's growth may benefit from broad clinical demand, greater health plan access and collaboration volumes.
Advanced Diagnostics, AI-driven automation and Invigorate cost savings may support DGX's Q3 performance.

Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) is set to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before the market opens.

In the last reported quarter, the renowned diagnostics provider posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.12, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.03%. The company beat on earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.77%.

Q3 Estimates for DGXThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.04 billion, indicating an increase of 8.1% from the year-ago reported figure.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS suggests a 9.6% rise to $2.85. 

Estimate Revision Trend Ahead of DGX’s Q3 EarningsEstimates for Quest Diagnostics’ third-quarter earnings have remained unchanged in the past 30 days.

Here’s a brief review of the company’s performance leading up to the announcement.

Factors Likely to Influence DGX’s Q3 ResultsAs in the previous quarter, third-quarter 2026 revenues are expected to have been supported by broad clinical demand from physicians, hospitals and consumers and increased volume from collaborations with Corewell Health and Fresenius Medical Care.

In the physician channel, a key driver has likely been geographic expansion from greater health plan access and acquisitions. Enterprise accounts may have generated additional revenues through new customer acquisitions and expanded business with existing clients.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Price and EPS SurpriseGrowth in the hospital channel may have been driven by Co-Lab solutions, which leverage the company’s lab and process management expertise to optimize quality and drive cost efficiencies. In the consumer channel, as in recent quarters, the company is likely to have generated strong revenue growth from both questhealth.com and its portfolio of leading consumer health collaborations. 

In the third quarter of 2026, the company is likely to have maintained momentum in Advanced Diagnostics, which includes non-routine and specialized tests across advanced cardiometabolic, autoimmune, brain health, oncology, and women's and reproductive health areas. Offerings such as the Quest AD-Detect blood test portfolio for Alzheimer's disease, Haystack MRD, ApoB and Lp(a) as well as liverfibrosis testing for new treatments for late-stage liver disease are expected to have supported growth.

The company is also investing in AI and automation to improve laboratory efficiency and customer experiences. Front-end specimen processing automation is improving productivity, while the newly launched IntelliDraw tool aims to improve specimen collection quality and service for physician customers. Additionally, operational efficiencies and cost synergies from the Invigorate initiative are likely to have supported Quest Diagnostics' operating performance.

What Our Model Unveils for DGXPer our proven model, a stock with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold), along with a positive Earnings ESP, has a higher chance of beating estimates, which is not the case here, as you can see below.

Earnings ESP: Quest Diagnostics has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. 

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 Rank stocks here.

Top MedTech PicksHere are some medical stocks worth considering, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

TG Therapeutics (TGTX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +71.43% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. The company is expected to release third-quarter 2026 results soon. 

TGTX’s earnings beat estimates in one of the trailing four quarters and missed in the remaining three, the average surprise being 184.65%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter EPS implies a decrease of 84.8% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.

Revvity (RVTY - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.03% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company is slated to release third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 3.

RVTY’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 6.59%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter EPS indicates an increase of 9.3% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.

HeartSciences (HSCS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.70% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The company is expected to release second-quarter fiscal 2027 results soon.

HSCS’ earnings surpassed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed in the other two, the average negative surprise being 0.06%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter loss per share calls for an improvement of 12.9% from the year-ago quarter’s loss.

Eastern Bank boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Free Report) by 9.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 207,720 shares of the medical research company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,751 shares during the quarter. Eastern Bank owned 0.19% of Quest Diagnostics worth $48,413,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the second quarter worth about $1,965,923,000. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 35.1% in the 1st quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. now owns 2,243,869 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $439,753,000 after buying an additional 582,797 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $410,151,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,949,535 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $382,085,000 after buying an additional 17,987 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 11.3% during the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 942,407 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $199,743,000 after acquiring an additional 95,804 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Quest Diagnostics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Barclays raised their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $220.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $245.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $237.08.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DGX Quest Diagnostics Trading Down 0.6% Shares of DGX traded down $1.47 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $231.87. The company had a trading volume of 308,272 shares, compared to its average volume of 971,476. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $171.18 and a 1-year high of $248.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $237.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $212.96. The stock has a market cap of $25.59 billion, a PE ratio of 24.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.54.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.82 by $0.30. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 16.01%. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.62 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 11.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be paid a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 6th. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio is 36.52%.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 22,677 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.11, for a total transaction of $5,513,005.47. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 37,557 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,130,482.27. This trade represents a 37.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 1,600 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.18, for a total value of $376,288.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 10,335 shares in the company, valued at $2,430,585.30. This represents a 13.41% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 34,277 shares of company stock worth $8,316,493 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.88% of the company’s stock.

(Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing that helps physicians, hospitals, health plans, employers and other organizations diagnose, monitor and manage medical conditions.

Its services include routine blood and other clinical laboratory tests, advanced and molecular diagnostics, anatomic pathology, genetic and genomic testing, and testing related to infectious diseases. Quest also provides employer health screening, drug testing, clinical trial support and laboratory information services.

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Key Takeaways Quest Diagnostics' shares have rallied 36.3% YTD on strong momentum across its business.DGX is benefiting from advanced diagnostics, new customers, acquisitions and channel growth.DGX is using AI, automation and Invigorate to improve efficiency and target annual cost savings. Quest Diagnostics’ (DGX - Free Report) shares have rallied 36.3% so far this year, highlighting strong momentum. The stock has outperformed the industry, which has gained 20%, as well as the S&P 500 composite, which has risen 12%.

Carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, the renowned clinical laboratory benefits from growing momentum in advanced diagnostics, with strong demand across key testing areas and continued expansion in oncology. The company is seeing broad-based growth across its physician, hospital and consumer-testing channels. The greater adoption of AI and automation is driving efficiency, productivity gains and cost savings across laboratory operations.

Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Quest Diagnostics provides diagnostic information services to a broad range of customers within its primary channels of physicians, hospitals, patients and consumers. The company is a key provider of reference testing for approximately half of U.S. hospitals. Quest Diagnostics has pursued growth through strategic acquisitions and seeks to drive operational excellence across the customer value chain and its business.

Factors Favoring DGX’s GrowthThe rally in the share price can be linked to the company’s ongoing momentum in advanced diagnostics, mainly in advanced cardiometabolic, autoimmune, brain health, oncology, and women's and reproductive health areas. Several of these areas delivered double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026. Demand remained elevated for ApoB, Lp(a) and liver fibrosis tests, while the company continued to grow its analyzer solution for autoimmune disorders. Quest Diagnostics advanced Haystack molecular resiMRD during the quarter, securing New York State approval that allows commercialization across all 50 states. The company also expanded access to cancer tests through Flatiron Health’s OncoEMR Molecular Profiling Integration platform.

Quest Diagnostics’ physician channel revenues are benefiting from new customer wins, higher business with existing customers and growth in regions where it expanded health plan access and completed acquisitions. The Fresenius Medical Care collaboration is also broadening its capabilities in kidney care. Hospital channel revenues also grew at a double-digit rate, primarily from Co-Lab Solutions with Corewell Health.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The consumer-testing channel, QuestHealth.com, continued to drive revenue growth, supported by demand for wellness panels and newer services like thyroid testing. The platform is also attracting consumer, wearable and wellness partners through flexible technology integration.

On a broader note, rising chronic disease rates and growing demand for early diagnosis are also expected to support the clinical laboratory testing market and Quest Diagnostics’ long-term growth prospects.

Operationally, the company uses automation and AI across laboratory and administrative processes to offset labor, benefit and reimbursement pressures while improving service quality. During the second quarter, Quest Diagnostics expanded AI-enabled cervical cancer screening and front-end specimen-processing automation to additional laboratories. It also launched IntelliDraw to guide specimen collection at physician offices and plans to introduce an AI-based supply tool at patient service centers. The Invigorate program continues to target 3% annual cost savings and productivity improvements.

Concerns for DGXQuest Diagnostics’ high leverage remains a concern, with $5.63 billion in long-term debt and $626 million in cash as of June 30, 2026. The company also remains exposed to changes in government reimbursement, health policy and payer bargaining power. Cost inflation could weigh on its margin growth.

A Glance at DGX’s EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Quest Diagnostics’ 2026 and 2027 earnings per share (EPS) is expected to increase 13.2% and 7.3%, respectively, to $11.15 and $11.97. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's 2026 EPS has risen 1.6%. 

Revenues for 2026 are projected to grow 8.9% to $12.01 billion, followed by a 4.6% jump to $12.56 billion in 2027.

Other Key PicksSome other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Veracyte (VCYT - Free Report) , Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) and Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) .

Veracyte has an earnings yield of 4.7% against the industry’s negative 1.4% yield. Shares of the company have risen 45.2% compared with the industry’s 3.3% growth. VCYT’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 41.8%. 

VCYT sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Phibro Animal Health, sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has an earnings yield of 10.2% compared with the industry’s 2.5% yield. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 18.4%. PAHC shares have fallen 12.7% against the industry’s 27.9% decline over the past year.

Globus Medical, sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has an earnings yield of 6.8% against the industry’s negative 1.7% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 27.9%. GMED shares have rallied 33.3% compared with the industry’s 3.3% growth over the past year.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated's recurring testing demand provides a foundation for growth through hospital partnerships, dialysis services, and advanced diagnostics. Their dialysis testing and advanced diagnostics add growth opportunities, although their value ultimately depends on execution and reimbursement. So far, DGX's cash flows seem to be benefiting from the acquisition strategy, but if this falters, it may lead to write-downs of its sizable goodwill on the balance sheet.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, announced today that it will report its third quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, October 22, 2026, before the market opens. It will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss the results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on that day.

The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, using the passcode: "7895081." The earnings release and live webcast will be posted on www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or by phone at 866-388-5361 for domestic callers or 203-369-0416 for international callers; no passcode is required. Telephone replays will be available from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026, until midnight Eastern Time on November 5, 2026.

Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read the company's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.

About Quest Diagnostics 
Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, we help reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, empower healthy behaviors, and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three American adults each year, and our nearly 60,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com 

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

Medical testing giant Quest Diagnostics (DGX -5.19%) stock slipped 5.1% through 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) disclosed Monday that they've been paying about 16% more for lab work than private insurers pay.

No longer.

Effective Jan. 1, 2027, CMS says it will cut reimbursement rates for lab costs by up to 15%.

Image source: Getty Images.

What this means for Quest Diagnostics (and for you) CMS estimates the reduced reimbursement rates will save taxpayers $1 billion per year. Unfortunately for Quest Diagnostics, these savings will come directly out of its own revenue stream.

In its 10-K filing with the SEC, Quest highlighted a reduction in the rates it receives from Medicare and Medicaid as one key risk to investing in its stock, warning of "the impact upon our testing volume and collected revenue or general or administrative expenses resulting from compliance with policies and requirements imposed by Medicare, Medicaid."

The question is: how badly might Quest be hurt?

And the answer: According to this same 10-K filing, Quest got approximately 11% of its revenue from CMS reimbursement in 2025.

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

76/100

Today's Change

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-5.19

%) $

-12.71

Current Price

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232.18

What's next for Quest Diagnostics? And now we can do a little math. Shrinking an 11% revenue stream by 15% implies that if CMS reduces its rates by the full 15%, Quest Diagnostics' annual revenue would decrease by 1.65%. Now, Quest notes that successive 15% per year reductions are possible from 2027 through 2029. This still implies that the worst-case scenario for Quest is a reduction of slightly less than 5% in its business.

With Quest stock down 5.1%, that worst-case scenario is already more than priced into the stock today. From where I sit, that means there's little reason to expect Quest stock to keep going down after today.

It might even bounce back.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Quest Diagnostics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Myriad Genetics Sees Stock Surge with Hereditary Cancer TestsQuest Diagnostics NYSE: DGX CEO and President Jim Davis said the diagnostic testing company is exceeding the growth framework it outlined at its prior investor day, driven largely by organic growth, consumer-health demand and partnerships rather than a heavier-than-expected pace of acquisitions.

Davis said Quest had previously targeted 4% to 5% revenue growth, including 1% to 2% from acquisitions, along with 7% to 9% earnings-per-share growth. He said revenue rose about 12% in 2025 and earnings grew just above 10%. For 2026, Quest has guided for revenue growth of nearly 8% and earnings growth of more than 13%, approaching 14%.

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LifeMD Shares Come Back to Life on GLP-1 Business Growth While Quest had initially contemplated $1.5 billion in mergers and acquisitions, Davis said the company has deployed $2.8 billion of capital in M&A since 2024. Its acquisition activity was concentrated in 2024, including LifeLabs in Canada and outreach laboratory transactions involving Allina Health, OhioHealth and University Hospitals, among others.

Since then, Quest has focused on integrating those operations while also taking on large partnership-related businesses that were not structured as acquisitions. Those include a co-lab arrangement with Corewell Health that Davis described as a $250 million business, as well as laboratory testing previously handled by Fresenius for dialysis patients, representing about $100 million in business.

Organic Growth Drivers Exact Sciences Serves Investors Exactly What They Wished For Davis said Quest’s core physician-office business remains structurally stronger than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. He cited the aging population, continued prevalence of chronic conditions and the expanding use of newer tests.

Quest expects to test 250 million people in 2026, representing an estimated 110 million to 120 million unique individuals, Davis said. The company continues to see elevated levels of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and other chronic conditions across the population it serves.

He also highlighted growing adoption of tests associated with cardiovascular risk and metabolic health, including Lp(a), ApoB and insulin-resistance testing. Blood-based biomarkers used in assessing Alzheimer’s disease are gaining traction beyond neurologists and are increasingly being used in primary care, Davis said.

“People are proactively getting lab work,” Davis said, describing a broader consumer trend toward monitoring biomarkers and biometric data before deciding whether to visit a physician.

Quest’s consumer-health business, which includes its QuestHealth.com direct-to-consumer operations and partnerships with Function Health, Junction Health, Hims & Hers, Hone Health, WHOOP, Oura and Apple Health, was a $250 million business at the end of 2025 and was expected to grow at least 30% in 2026, according to Davis. Apple Health was not expected to begin contributing until December.

Davis said direct-to-consumer wellness testing has higher average margins than the company overall because it is cash-pay business, avoiding insurance denials and patient concessions. He said Quest can also leverage its existing patient service center and courier infrastructure as volumes increase.

Health-System Partnerships and Market Expansion Quest has used health-system outreach arrangements to build its presence in markets where independent physician practices are less prevalent. Davis pointed to Minneapolis, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, where large health systems employ a substantial share of primary-care physicians and laboratory work has historically remained within those systems.

Following outreach transactions with health systems in those markets, Quest has begun generating growth above the business volumes it initially purchased, Davis said. The company has expanded its commercial presence, logistics network and patient service centers after entering those regions.

Corewell Health is expected to be an important part of Quest’s Michigan strategy. Quest currently operates laboratories inside Corewell’s 21 hospitals, but Davis said outreach work from those facilities will move next year into a jointly operated central laboratory in Southfield, Michigan.

Quest will also contribute its legacy Michigan business to that laboratory, which Davis said will become the state’s largest lab and will compete for additional testing business. The economics of the Corewell arrangement are expected to improve over a three-year period as Quest transitions equipment and supplies to its preferred vendors and realizes scale benefits.

For the Fresenius testing business, Davis said Quest expects margins to reach the company average by the fourth quarter of 2026 and become accretive to the company average in 2027.

PAMA Remains an Uncertainty Davis also addressed the potential impact of the federal Protecting Access to Medicare Act, or PAMA, which could affect Medicare laboratory reimbursement rates. He said the company is awaiting details from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on participation in the recent data-collection process.

Quest plans to challenge the results if participation falls materially short of broad industry representation, Davis said. He noted that fewer than 1% of eligible laboratories submitted data during the prior collection process in 2016, which he said produced an unrepresentative pricing profile.

The company is also supporting the RESULTS Act, a bipartisan proposal Davis said would simplify data collection and provide a more accurate measure of market-based pricing. The legislation had 130 co-sponsors, according to Davis, though he said he could not assign a probability to either passage of the bill or a further PAMA delay.

In a worst-case scenario in which every affected test rate fell by the maximum 15%, Davis estimated Quest’s exposure at somewhat more than $100 million. He added that Medicare fee-for-service now represents less than half of the relevant business as more beneficiaries shift into Medicare Advantage plans.

About Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated NYSE: DGX is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing used to help diagnose, monitor and manage diseases and other health conditions, serving physicians, hospitals, health plans, employers, government agencies and individual consumers.

Its services include routine blood and urine testing, advanced and esoteric diagnostics, molecular and genetic testing, anatomic pathology, cancer testing, drug screening and wellness-related assessments.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Corient Private Wealth LP decreased its position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Free Report) by 13.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 34,092 shares of the medical research company’s stock after selling 5,233 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LP’s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $7,226,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Amundi grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 22.1% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 498,751 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $105,710,000 after acquiring an additional 90,421 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 12.8% during the second quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 67,692 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $14,347,000 after acquiring an additional 7,678 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the second quarter worth $16,747,000. Vancity Investment Management Ltd grew its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 90.9% in the 2nd quarter. Vancity Investment Management Ltd now owns 2,548 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $540,000 after purchasing an additional 1,213 shares during the period. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the 2nd quarter valued at $45,000. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Up 0.2% Shares of NYSE DGX opened at $247.49 on Friday. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52 week low of $171.18 and a 52 week high of $248.70. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $232.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $210.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a market cap of $27.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.55.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.82 by $0.30. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 16.01%. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.97 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.62 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be given a dividend of $0.86 per share. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 6th. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $235.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $245.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Argus set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $236.31.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Quest Diagnostics

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics In related news, CEO J. E. Davis sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.72, for a total value of $2,427,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 122,423 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $29,714,510.56. This trade represents a 7.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 22,677 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.11, for a total transaction of $5,513,005.47. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 37,557 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,130,482.27. The trade was a 37.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 34,277 shares of company stock valued at $8,316,493. 0.88% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Profile (Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing used to help diagnose, monitor and manage diseases and other health conditions, serving physicians, hospitals, health plans, employers, government agencies and individual consumers.

Its services include routine blood and urine testing, advanced and esoteric diagnostics, molecular and genetic testing, anatomic pathology, cancer testing, drug screening and wellness-related assessments.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Quest Diagnostics Aeluma’s Selloff Could Be Setting Up Its Next Big Move Crypto Bill Stalls, Smart Money Calls: Time to Buy the Dip? The September Scramble: Find Sanctuary in These 3 Defensive Dividend Stocks The Fed’s Rate Hike Could Backfire If Oil Prices Collapse Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DGX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Free Report).

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Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $248.65 and last traded at $247.1970, with a volume of 1373537 shares. The stock had previously closed at $237.89.

Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on DGX. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $235.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Argus set a $260.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $232.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Quest Diagnostics from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $236.31.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 3.9% The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $230.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $209.88. The company has a market capitalization of $27.28 billion, a PE ratio of 26.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.55. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.82 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.97 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 16.01%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.62 EPS. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 11.15 EPS for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be given a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 6th. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.52%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, SVP Mark Delaney sold 1,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.18, for a total value of $376,288.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 10,335 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,430,585.30. This represents a 13.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Michael Prevoznik sold 22,677 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.11, for a total value of $5,513,005.47. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 37,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,130,482.27. The trade was a 37.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 34,277 shares of company stock worth $8,316,493 over the last quarter. 0.88% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Quest Diagnostics A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DGX. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 25.0% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 33,797 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $7,163,000 after purchasing an additional 6,767 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $226,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 11,961 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $2,535,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 12,508 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $2,651,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 17,006 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $3,604,000 after buying an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing used to help diagnose, monitor and manage diseases and other health conditions, serving physicians, hospitals, health plans, employers, government agencies and individual consumers.

Its services include routine blood and urine testing, advanced and esoteric diagnostics, molecular and genetic testing, anatomic pathology, cancer testing, drug screening and wellness-related assessments.

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Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) 2026 Global Healthcare Conference September 15, 2026 10:50 AM EDT

Company Participants

James Davis - Chairman, CEO & President

Conference Call Participants

Eric Coldwell - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Presentation

Eric Coldwell
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Good morning, everyone. My name is Eric Coldwell. It's really a great pleasure to have Quest Diagnostics with us here today. Jim has been incredibly gracious over the last couple of years -- last few years now, I guess, where are we? Time runs together.

James Davis
Chairman, CEO & President

Year 4.

Eric Coldwell
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Gosh. Hard to believe.

James Davis
Chairman, CEO & President

Yes. Year 4.

Eric Coldwell
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Hard to believe. We knew each other for a long time before that. So really gracious with his time, great leadership example at the company. The performance at Quest has been exceptionally strong in the last few years, and it's been a lot of fun covering this space, which used to be a bit of a stable, but maybe some would say boring industry, and there's not much boring to it anymore. So it's been...

James Davis
Chairman, CEO & President

Boring and good results are okay.

Eric Coldwell
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Yes, boring with good results, stable and good growth. Of course, Jim, President and CEO, we have Damini and Dan, still gracing us from the IR team here. So Dan, I bet you can't wait to go on to new pastures, and Damini is getting up to speed quickly. So we're not going to do a slide show. We're going to jump straight into Q&A, but I don't know if you have 30 seconds of prepared remarks or even want to

Coming later this year, Apple Health app users will be able to conveniently and securely purchase and receive results of Quest's biomarker lab testing directly in the app

, /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) today announced that Apple Health app users in the United States1 will be able to conveniently purchase a tailored Quest laboratory test panel that includes over 50 biomarkers directly through the app on iPhone and iPad later this year. Apple first announced the upcoming update today at its September event.

"By embedding the Quest lab testing experience within the Apple Health app, we are making testing simpler, smarter and more available to people who want to connect biomarker and biometric insights to own their health," said Richard Adams, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer, Quest Diagnostics. "This integration will help bridge the gap between clinical and consumer health and serve the growing interest in preventive health and wellness." 

The Quest laboratory panel is designed to deliver preventive health insights and includes biomarkers for assessing cardiometabolic health and organ function. The panel also includes biometric readings that measure blood pressure, height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences, which may provide additional insights into metabolic health. 

Users can purchase and schedule their blood draw and biometric readings at one of Quest's approximately 2,000 patient service centers in the United States for $119.

Shortly after testing, lab results will appear within the Apple Health app. Quest collaborates with third-party providers to review and approve all test orders and, at the user's request, discuss test results and next steps for no additional charge. 

Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, affect as many as three in four American adults, yet can often be prevented if acted upon in early stages, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biomarker laboratory testing can identify early, asymptomatic signals of several chronic conditions, empowering individuals to make behavioral changes to reduce disease risk.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We help connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, our insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three adult Americans each year, and our nearly 60,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com 

1.Not available in all U.S. states.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

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Stock to Watch: Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic information services to a broad range of customers within its primary channels of physicians, hospitals, patients and consumers.The company provides services to integrated delivery networks throughout the United States through its Collaborative Lab Solutions (formerly, Professional Laboratory Services) offerings. These services help customers build and execute laboratory strategies, improve quality, reduce healthcare costs and focus on core competencies. The company is a key provider of reference testing for approximately half of U.S. hospitals.

DGX is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 21.76; value investors should take notice.

For fiscal 2026, 10 analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.44 to $11.15 per share. DGX boasts an average earnings surprise of +5.8%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, DGX should be on investors' short list.

Individuals in the U.S. can now add Humanity Biological Age's lab-informed insights to select health profile tests purchased through Quest's consumer-initiated testing platform

, /PRNewswire/ -- Humanity Health Inc. ("Humanity"), the longevity science company, and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) today announced that Humanity Biological Age, Humanity's scientifically validated model for measuring biological age from biomarker lab test results, is now available in the United States for the first time through questhealth.com, Quest's consumer-initiated testing platform.

Humanity co-founders Pete Ward and Michael Geer. Humanity Biological Age is now available in the U.S. for the first time through questhealth.com. Individuals now have the option to select the Humanity Biological Age add-on when purchasing select health profile tests from questhealth.com including Elite Health Profile, Men's and Women's Comprehensive Health Profiles, and Fitness Profile — Elite, with no additional blood draw needed. After completing a health profile sample collection at one of Quest's approximately 2,000 patient service centers across the U.S., customers can upload their lab results from Quest directly to Humanity's platform. The Humanity Biological Age add-on will cost $29 at questhealth.com.

The Humanity Biological Age report gives individuals a scientifically validated measure of biological age from their lab results, alongside their age difference, which shows how that estimate compares with their chronological age. For those who test more than once, it also shows how that difference is trending over time. The report identifies which of the body's systems are influencing the result, including cardiovascular, metabolic, liver, kidney, blood, immune and inflammatory, hormonal, and bone and mineral health. Each is expressed as the number of years it adds to or subtracts from the biological age result. The report also includes general information on lifestyle actions associated with biological age.

Biological age is a measure of how well a person's body is functioning, rather than simply how many years they have lived. Developed with Imperial College London, Humanity Biological Age turns the biomarkers measured in routine blood tests into a single, easy-to-understand, biological age number that individuals can act on and track over time.

Humanity Biological Age is built on research published in the peer-reviewed journal Communications Biology, a Nature Publishing Group journal. The model was trained on more than 306,000 UK Biobank participants followed for an average of 11.6 years, and validated on a separate cohort. In data captured by Humanity, 83% of individuals said their Humanity Biological Age result would prompt them to improve their lifestyle, and 80% said they intended to retest within six to 12 months to see whether their changes were reflected in their biological age.1

With this launch, Humanity Biological Age is available in five countries, with further markets to follow.

"Humanity is excited to bring Humanity Biological Age to people in the United States for the first time through questhealth.com," said Pete Ward, co-founder and CEO of Humanity. "Until now, a rigorously validated measure on biological age has been available to very few people. Our mission is to give a billion years of health back to the world by the end of the decade, and that means putting this insight in the hands of the many, starting with people who are already taking a blood test."  

"Quest is focused on delivering solutions that enable people to own their health," said Richard Adams, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Consumer at Quest Diagnostics. "As interest in preventive health and wellness continues to grow, our work with Humanity to provide novel lab-informed insights via the Humanity Biological Age report, can inspire people to take a more proactive role in their health."

Humanity is providing the Biological Age report, so it is important for purchasers to understand Humanity's terms and conditions for their report. Quest is unable to provide a refund for tests and/or reports provided by third parties like Humanity. The Biological Age report is a general wellness offering.

1 Humanity customer survey with customers of an existing lab partner, 2026. Data on file.

About Humanity

Humanity is a longevity science company building accurate and accessible measures of human aging and overall health. Its blood-based biological age model, developed with Imperial College London and published in Communications Biology, a Nature Publishing Group journal, turns routine blood tests into a scientifically validated estimate of biological age. Humanity partners with leading laboratory groups worldwide to bring this insight to millions of people, and its mission is to give a billion years of health back to the world by the end of the decade. Learn more at humanity.health.

Media contacts

Humanity: Pete Ward, [email protected], +447956550544

Quest: Amanda Rivera, [email protected], (973)-520-2800 

Humanity Biological Age is a wellness and preventive health metric. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not constitute medical advice or replace clinical judgement. Results should be considered alongside a full clinical assessment.

SOURCE Humanity Health Inc.; Quest Diagnostics

Artia Global Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 65,122 shares of the medical research company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,803,000. Quest Diagnostics comprises approximately 2.5% of Artia Global Partners LP’s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Artia Global Partners LP owned 0.06% of Quest Diagnostics as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Key Financial Inc boosted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1,728.6% during the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 128 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Sittner & Nelson LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, DV Equities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Quest Diagnostics Price Performance NYSE:DGX opened at $244.78 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $222.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $206.46. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a one year low of $171.18 and a one year high of $246.00. The stock has a market cap of $27.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.99, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.56.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.82 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.97 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 16.01% and a net margin of 9.18%.Quest Diagnostics’s revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.62 earnings per share. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be paid a $0.86 dividend. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 6th. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.52%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 1,600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.18, for a total transaction of $376,288.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 10,335 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,430,585.30. The trade was a 13.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 8,147 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $1,629,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,510 shares in the company, valued at $2,702,000. This represents a 37.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders sold 19,747 shares of company stock valued at $3,947,088. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently issued reports on DGX. Mizuho increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $235.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $220.00 to $232.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $245.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $235.31.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) is a leading provider of diagnostic information services that supports clinical decision-making for patients, physicians and healthcare organizations. The company operates a network of clinical laboratories and patient service centers that perform a broad range of laboratory tests and diagnostic assays used in routine care, disease diagnosis, monitoring and screening.

Its services span core clinical laboratory testing, anatomic pathology, molecular and genomic diagnostics, infectious disease testing and toxicology.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Quest Diagnostics Williams-Sonoma’s Quarter Gave Bulls More Than Just a Beat-and-Raise Alcoa’s Gallium Project Opens a New Door Beyond Aluminum Oura’s $16 Billion IPO Could Put a New Price on Wearable Tech Can Tesla’s Flying Roadster Distract From Its Real Risks?

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, /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, announced that Sam Samad, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will speak on the company's strategy, performance and the latest market developments and trends during the Morgan Stanley 24th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in New York City on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The fireside chat and Q&A session will be webcast live during the conference on the company's investor relations page, which can be accessed at ir.QuestDiagnostics.com. In addition, the archived webcast will be available within 24 hours after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until October 12, 2026.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, we help reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, empower healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three American adults each year, and our nearly 60,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

Key Takeaways Quest Diagnostics is seeing strong growth in physician, hospital and consumer channels.DGX's Advanced Diagnostics delivered double-digit growth in several clinical areas in the second quarter.Quest Diagnostics targets 3% annual cost savings as debt and reimbursement pressures weigh on results. Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) is well-poised to grow in the coming quarters owing to its solid growth momentum in the physician, hospital and consumer channels. Broader adoption of the company’s Advanced Diagnostics offerings, across five key clinical areas, also supports the growth outlook. Further, Quest Diagnostics continues to use automation and AI to improve the quality and productivity of its operations.Still, elevated debt and ongoing uncertainty around reimbursement and costs could weigh on results.

In the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has rallied 33.9% compared with the industry’s 19.4% growth and the S&P 500 Composite’s 21.5% rise. 

The renowned provider of diagnostic information services has a market capitalization of $26.68 billion. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 5.77%.

Factors Favoring DGXGrowth Momentum in the Base Business: Quest Diagnostics continues to address the needs of physicians, hospitals and consumers through broader access, clinical innovation and offering more integrated solutions. In the second quarter of 2026, physician channel revenues increased in the high single-digit range, supported by new customer wins, higher business with existing customers and growth in regions where the company expanded health plan access and completed acquisitions. The Fresenius Medical Care collaboration is also broadening Quest Diagnostics’ capabilities in kidney care.

Hospital channel revenues grew at a double-digit rate, primarily from Co-Lab Solutions with Corewell Health. Reference-testing revenues increased from both the first quarter and the prior-year period. The consumer-testing platform, QuestHealth.com, continued to generate revenue growth, supported by demand for wellness panels and newer services such as thyroid testing. The platform is also attracting consumer, wearable and wellness partners through flexible technology integration.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Strong Potential of Advanced Diagnostics: Quest Diagnostics is expanding advanced diagnostics across cardiometabolic and endocrine, autoimmune, brain health, oncology and women’s and reproductive health. Several of these areas delivered double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026. Demand remained elevated for ApoB, Lp(a) and liver fibrosis tests, while the company continued to grow its analyzer solution for autoimmune disorders.

In brain health, the AD-Detect portfolio again produced double-digit growth. In oncology, New York State approved Haystack minimal residual disease, allowing commercial expansion across all 50 states. Quest Diagnostics also integrated selected cancer tests with Flatiron Health’s OncoEMR Molecular Profiling Integration platform. A pilot program with American Oncology Network is expected to support a broader rollout to Flatiron’s 4,700 clinicians and other providers later in 2026.

Strategic Imperative to Drive Operational Excellence: Quest Diagnostics’ Invigorate program now targets 3% annual cost savings and productivity improvements. The company is using automation and AI across laboratory and administrative processes to offset labor, benefit and reimbursement pressures while improving service quality. During the second quarter, Quest Diagnostics expanded AI-enabled cervical cancer screening and front-end specimen-processing automation to additional laboratories.

The company also launched IntelliDraw to guide specimen collection at physician offices and plans to introduce an AI-based supply tool at patient service centers. Project Nova remains a multi-year effort to transform order-to-cash processes, with higher spending expected in the second half of 2026 and the first implementation wave planned for fall 2027.

What Ails DGX?Elevated Debt Level: As of June 30, 2026, the company’s long-term debt was $5.63 billion and cash and cash equivalents totaled $626 million. The current portion of long-term debt declined to $10 million after the company repaid $500 million of notes due in June and issued $500 million of 5.00% notes due in 2036. Interest expense totaled $126 million in the first half. Elevated debt could constrain financial flexibility as the company continues investing in acquisitions, automation and Project Nova.

Unstable Reimbursement and Cost Backdrop: Quest Diagnostics remains exposed to changes in government reimbursement, health policy and payer bargaining power. Management continues to assume a 30-basis-point (bps) revenue impact in 2026 from the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act exchange subsidies. Exchange requisitions were down about 8%, although higher tests per requisition and payer mix kept related revenues roughly flat through the second quarter. Second-quarter cost of services increased 10.9% year over year, while adjusted operating margin declined 40 bps to 16.5%.

DGX Stock Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Quest Diagnostics’ 2026 earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase 13.2% to $11.15.

The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $12.01 billion, suggesting 8.9% growth from the year-ago reported number.

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Veracyte (VCYT - Free Report) and Teleflex (TFX - Free Report) .

Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 5.8% compared to the industry’s negative 1.7% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 27.9%. GMED shares have rallied 37.1% against the industry’s 4.2% decline over the past year.

GMED sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Veracyte, sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has an earnings yield of 4.6% against the industry’s negative 1.7% yield. Shares of the company have risen 34.8% against the industry’s 4.2% decline. VCYT’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 41.8%. 

Teleflex, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 20.7% compared with the industry’s 12.8% growth. Its earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 3.2%. TFX shares have rallied 4.3% against the industry’s 4.3% decline over the past year.

Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $235.3077.

Several research firms have weighed in on DGX. Weiss Ratings raised Quest Diagnostics from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Argus set a $260.00 price target on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $245.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Thursday, July 23rd.

Read Our Latest Report on DGX

Quest Diagnostics Price Performance DGX stock opened at $241.80 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $218.52 and a 200-day moving average of $204.87. The company has a market cap of $26.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.67, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Quest Diagnostics has a 12-month low of $171.18 and a 12-month high of $245.68. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.82 by $0.30. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 16.01% and a net margin of 9.18%.The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.62 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics will post 11.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be given a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 6th. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.52%.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics In related news, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 8,147 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $1,629,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 13,510 shares in the company, valued at $2,702,000. The trade was a 37.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 1,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.18, for a total value of $376,288.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 10,335 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,430,585.30. The trade was a 13.41% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 19,747 shares of company stock valued at $3,947,088 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Quest Diagnostics Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Key Financial Inc lifted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 1,728.6% in the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 128 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. DV Equities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Sittner & Nelson LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Get Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) is a leading provider of diagnostic information services that supports clinical decision-making for patients, physicians and healthcare organizations. The company operates a network of clinical laboratories and patient service centers that perform a broad range of laboratory tests and diagnostic assays used in routine care, disease diagnosis, monitoring and screening.

Its services span core clinical laboratory testing, anatomic pathology, molecular and genomic diagnostics, infectious disease testing and toxicology.

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Investors might want to bet on Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.

The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.

Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.

Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for Quest Diagnostics basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.

Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.

Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Quest Diagnostics imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.

Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.

The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Earnings Estimate Revisions for Quest DiagnosticsFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this medical laboratory operator is expected to earn $11.15 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.

Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Quest Diagnostics. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 4.1%.

Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.

You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>

The upgrade of Quest Diagnostics to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.