Toth Financial Advisory Corp Purchases 3,828 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated $DGX

Key Points

• Toth Financial Advisory Corp has increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 17.1%, owning 26,197 shares worth approximately $4.7 million as of the end of the second quarter.
• Quest Diagnostics reported earnings of $2.62 per share for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, with a revenue of $2.76 billion representing a 15.2% year-over-year growth.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share, payable on October 20th, which translates to an annualized yield of 1.7%.

Toth Financial Advisory Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 17.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,197 shares of the medical research company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,828 shares during the period. Toth Financial Advisory Corp's holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $4,706,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 126.9% in the second quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 152 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC boosted its position 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 valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position 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 worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 157.3% during 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. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of Quest Diagnostics stock traded up $0.36 on Friday, reaching $183.69. 1,435,553 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 658,188. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $146.17 and a 1-year high of $185.62. The firm has a market cap of $20.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.54. The company's 50-day moving average is $176.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $174.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.09.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $2.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.73 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.01% and a return on equity of 15.24%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.35 EPS. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.630-9.830 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

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 $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.32%.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 5,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $968,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,219 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,363,325. This represents a 22.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 8,269 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were 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 $1,784,484. This represents a 43.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 24,496 shares of company stock valued at $4,278,787 in the last quarter. 8.16% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DGX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group dropped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $176.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Baird R W lowered shares of Quest Diagnostics from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 25th. William Blair reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics 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. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and set a $194.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Monday, August 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $186.00.

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.