National Bank of Canada FI Acquires 70,922 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 226.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 102,258 shares of the medical research company's stock after acquiring an additional 70,922 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI owned approximately 0.09% of Quest Diagnostics worth $14,400,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of DGX. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the third quarter valued at $25,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 218 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 79.3% during the 4th quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 242 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Finally, Headinvest LLC acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total transaction of $83,378.54. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 40,206 shares in the company, valued at $5,071,584.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 5,611 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.88, for a total value of $706,312.68. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 38,478 shares in the company, valued at $4,843,610.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total value of $83,378.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 40,206 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,071,584.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 16,910 shares of company stock worth $2,159,602. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on DGX shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $140.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $139.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $138.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 25th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $146.17.

Quest Diagnostics Price Performance

Shares of DGX traded up $2.02 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $138.16. The stock had a trading volume of 588,253 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,046,191. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52 week low of $119.59 and a 52 week high of $145.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $130.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $132.04. The company has a market capitalization of $15.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.88.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The medical research company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.18. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.52% and a net margin of 9.11%. The business had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.29 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.04 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.