Zacks Research Has Pessimistic Outlook of DGX Q3 Earnings

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for Quest Diagnostics in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, May 21st. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the medical research company will post earnings per share of $2.50 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.51. The consensus estimate for Quest Diagnostics' current full-year earnings is $9.70 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Quest Diagnostics' Q1 2026 earnings at $2.39 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.68 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $2.62 EPS.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.06. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.80% and a return on equity of 15.07%. The firm had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on DGX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $182.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $195.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $185.73.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DGX traded up $1.72 during trading on Thursday, reaching $172.95. The stock had a trading volume of 328,994 shares, compared to its average volume of 989,487. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $164.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Quest Diagnostics has a 52 week low of $135.47 and a 52 week high of $179.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.85%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 7th. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.46%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 824 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.61, for a total value of $142,230.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 69,178 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,940,814.58. This trade represents a 1.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO J. E. Davis sold 39,191 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.46, for a total transaction of $6,602,115.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 127,623 shares in the company, valued at $21,499,370.58. This represents a 23.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 53,985 shares of company stock valued at $9,147,802. 8.16% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Quest Diagnostics

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DGX. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 35.9% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 298,922 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $46,407,000 after acquiring an additional 78,980 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 22.7% in the fourth quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,169 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $780,000 after purchasing an additional 955 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 6.9% in the fourth quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,547 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $233,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 2,452 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $370,000 after buying an additional 696 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at $204,000. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quest Diagnostics Company 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.