Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH Buys 23,832 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 625.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 27,640 shares of the medical research company's stock after acquiring an additional 23,832 shares during the period. Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH's holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $4,170,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $355,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 980.3% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 24,198 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $3,650,000 after purchasing an additional 21,958 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $54,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $10,345,000. Finally, MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $545,000. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 0.6%

DGX traded up $1.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $173.07. 1,612,659 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 994,037. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a one year low of $135.47 and a one year high of $179.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.51, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.10. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $170.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $164.66.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.06. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.07% and a net margin of 8.80%. The business had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

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 given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 7th. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $178.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $182.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Barclays upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Citigroup lowered Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $185.73.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 4,643 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $789,310.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,479,890. This trade represents a 10.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 874 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.72, for a total value of $153,579.28. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 52,633 shares of company stock valued at $8,914,433 over the last 90 days. 8.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.