Labcorp (NYSE:LH) Stock Gets Price Target Increase from Robert W. Baird

Key Points

• Robert W. Baird raised Labcorp’s price target from $361 to $396 and maintained an “outperform” rating, implying roughly 9.94% upside from the prior close.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $351.58; recent targets from other firms range from $320 to $410.
• Labcorp reported quarterly earnings of $4.78 per share and revenue of $3.81 billion, beating expectations, while shares opened at $360.21 near their 52-week high. Insiders have sold $2.73 million worth of stock over the past three months.

Labcorp (NYSE:LH - Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $361.00 to $396.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an "outperform" rating on the medical research company's stock. Robert W. Baird's price target would suggest a potential upside of 9.94% from the company's previous close.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Barclays set a $380.00 price target on shares of Labcorp in a research note on Wednesday. Leerink Partners set a $410.00 target price on shares of Labcorp in a research report on Wednesday. Bank of America raised their target price on Labcorp from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Labcorp from $308.00 to $338.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Labcorp from $361.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Labcorp currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $351.58.

Labcorp Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LH opened at $360.21 on Thursday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $321.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $286.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.53. Labcorp has a one year low of $244.52 and a one year high of $371.00. The company has a market capitalization of $29.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.87.

Labcorp (NYSE:LH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The medical research company reported $4.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.64 by $0.14. Labcorp had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 6.99%. The business had revenue of $3.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.18 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Labcorp will post 18.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Labcorp news, CEO Adam H. Schechter sold 4,669 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.37, for a total transaction of $1,495,807.53. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 102,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,858,749.05. This trade represents a 4.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Amy B. Summy sold 924 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.74, for a total transaction of $283,427.76. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 6,956 shares in the company, valued at $2,133,683.44. This represents a 11.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 8,593 shares of company stock worth $2,733,295 over the last three months. 0.84% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Labcorp

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Labcorp by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,226,446 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $607,241,000 after buying an additional 22,170 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Labcorp by 2.2% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,332,775 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $355,569,000 after buying an additional 28,584 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Labcorp by 19.4% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 820,442 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $218,901,000 after buying an additional 133,549 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management LLC Investment Advisor acquired a new position in shares of Labcorp in the second quarter valued at approximately $168,222,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Labcorp by 47.3% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 579,036 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $154,493,000 after buying an additional 185,847 shares during the period. 95.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about Labcorp

Here are the key news stories impacting Labcorp this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 results exceeded expectations: Labcorp reported adjusted earnings of $4.78 per share, above the $4.64 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.9% year over year to $3.81 billion, topping expectations of approximately $3.76 billion. Earnings increased from $4.18 per share in the prior-year quarter. Labcorp Reports Strong 2026 Third Quarter Results; Raises Full Year 2026 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year guidance was raised: Management increased its 2026 enterprise revenue-growth outlook to 5.9%-6.7% and adjusted EPS guidance to $18.30-$18.70, signaling confidence in operating momentum and supporting the stock’s advance. Labcorp Boosts FY26 Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Growth was broad-based: Diagnostics Laboratories revenue climbed 6.5% to $2.95 billion, while Biopharma Laboratory Services revenue rose 8.5% to $866.7 million. Expanding margins also contributed to the stronger outlook. LH Stock Rises on Q3 Earnings and Revenue Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Portfolio expansion may support future growth: Labcorp announced or closed four transactions, including the acquisition of MLM Medical Labs and agreements involving BioReference Health, Myriad Genetics and Millennium Health. The FDA also approved Labcorp’s PGDx elio tissue complete CDx companion diagnostic for advanced melanoma. Labcorp Q3 2026 Earnings: Earnings Beat, Guidance Raised, Four Deals Pending
• Neutral Sentiment: Labcorp is also partnering with Waters to expand access to FDA-approved HPV screening tests by late 2026, which could increase testing adoption but is a longer-term catalyst. Waters and Labcorp Expand Access to HPV Screening Tests
• Negative Sentiment: Recent disclosures show insider selling, with no reported insider purchases over the past six months. While not necessarily tied to business fundamentals, the activity may temper investor enthusiasm after the strong rally.

About Labcorp

Labcorp NYSE: LH, formally Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, is a global life sciences and healthcare company headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina. The company provides laboratory testing and diagnostic services to physicians, hospitals, health systems, employers, insurers and consumers.

Through its diagnostics operations, Labcorp offers routine and specialty testing, oncology diagnostics, women's health testing, genetic testing, pathology services and other laboratory services.

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