DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale Raises Holdings in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 2.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 765,938 shares of the medical research company's stock after purchasing an additional 17,258 shares during the quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale owned approximately 0.69% of Quest Diagnostics worth $127,131,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 57.8% in the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 183 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 76.6% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 189 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 157.3% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 11,100.0% in the 1st quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 224 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $182.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Mizuho increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $178.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Redburn Partners set a $195.00 target price on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $191.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $185.73.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 874 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.72, for a total transaction of $153,579.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 8,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,471,127.84. The trade was a 9.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 8.16% of the company's stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

NYSE:DGX traded down $0.85 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $173.12. 39,189 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 987,476. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1 year low of $136.99 and a 1 year high of $182.38. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $176.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $168.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.49.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.06. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.11% and a net margin of 8.81%. The company had revenue of $2.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.63 billion. Analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 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 Monday, July 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 7th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 7th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.46%.

Quest Diagnostics Profile

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.

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