KBC Group NV Buys 1,906 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

KBC Group NV grew its position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 6.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 33,342 shares of the medical research company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,906 shares during the period. KBC Group NV's holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $5,641,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of DGX. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 57.8% during the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 183 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 157.3% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the first quarter worth $35,000. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 11,100.0% during the first quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 224 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $54,000. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In other news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 874 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction that occurred 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,471,127.84. The trade was a 9.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 8.16% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

NYSE DGX traded up $2.25 on Friday, hitting $178.85. 436,517 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 991,754. The company has a market capitalization of $19.97 billion, a PE ratio of 22.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The business's fifty day moving average is $176.47 and its 200 day moving average is $167.76. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52 week low of $136.99 and a 52 week high of $182.38.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.06. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.81% and a return on equity of 15.11%. The company had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.63 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 7th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 7th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is 40.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on DGX. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Mizuho increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $178.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $191.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $185.73.

About Quest Diagnostics

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