Victrix Investment Advisors Makes New Investment in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

Victrix Investment Advisors purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 1,600 shares of the medical research company's stock, valued at approximately $241,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter valued at about $45,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, Sandy Spring Bank raised its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 142.5% during the 4th quarter. Sandy Spring Bank now owns 485 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In other news, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 824 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.61, for a total transaction of $142,230.64. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 69,178 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,940,814.58. This represents a 1.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 4,643 shares of the business's 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,117 shares in the company, valued at $6,479,890. The trade was a 10.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 53,985 shares of company stock valued at $9,147,802 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 8.16% of the company's stock.

Quest Diagnostics Price Performance

Quest Diagnostics stock traded down $0.91 during trading on Thursday, reaching $169.57. The company had a trading volume of 1,036,334 shares, compared to its average volume of 991,195. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.93 billion, a PE ratio of 22.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $170.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $163.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.10. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $135.47 and a 1-year high of $179.99.

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

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 7th will be given a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 7th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.89%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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.