Integrity Alliance LLC. Acquires 4,716 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated $DGX

Key Points

• Integrity Alliance LLC increased its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 52%, owning 13,788 shares valued at approximately $2.33 million as reported in their latest SEC filing.
• A variety of institutional investors also increased their stakes in Quest Diagnostics during the first quarter, with notable increases including 157.3% by Golden State Wealth Management LLC.
• Analysts currently have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Quest Diagnostics, with a target price averaging $186.00, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.

Integrity Alliance LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 52.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 13,788 shares of the medical research company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,716 shares during the quarter. Integrity Alliance LLC.'s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $2,333,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DGX. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth $323,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 8.6% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 18,399 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $2,776,000 after buying an additional 1,462 shares during the period. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 2,570.6% in the fourth quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 79,369 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $11,974,000 after buying an additional 76,397 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 53,236 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $8,031,000 after buying an additional 485 shares during the period. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at $554,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the company's stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Down 0.3%

DGX stock traded down $0.60 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $182.86. The stock had a trading volume of 454,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 706,769. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $146.17 and a 1-year high of $185.62. The company has a fifty day moving average of $175.67 and a 200 day moving average of $173.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.90, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.54.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.05. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.24% and a net margin of 9.01%.The company had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.73 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.35 EPS. The business's revenue was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.630-9.830 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is currently 38.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Baird R W lowered Quest Diagnostics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 10th. Evercore ISI set a $185.00 price target on Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $160.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $186.00.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In other news, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 8,269 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.40, for a total transaction of $1,384,230.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 10,660 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,784,484. This represents a 43.68% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 5,535 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $968,625.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,219 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,363,325. This represents a 22.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 24,496 shares of company stock worth $4,278,787. 8.16% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Company 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.