LMR Partners LLP Has $5.84 Million Stock Position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

LMR Partners LLP increased its position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 487.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 38,679 shares of the medical research company's stock after purchasing an additional 32,093 shares during the period. LMR Partners LLP's holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $5,835,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DGX. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. First Financial Corp IN purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter worth $45,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at about $49,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth about $54,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE:DGX traded up $1.47 on Friday, hitting $177.88. 2,133,923 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 986,993. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $169.84 and a 200-day moving average of $163.39. The stock has a market cap of $19.86 billion, a PE ratio of 23.13, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $135.47 and a fifty-two week high of $180.38.

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

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 21st. Investors of record on Monday, July 7th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 7th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on DGX shares. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $191.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Citigroup cut Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $195.00 price objective on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Eight equities research 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $185.73.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 604 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.99, for a total transaction of $103,277.96. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 39,845 shares in the company, valued at $6,813,096.55. This represents a 1.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 874 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were 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 $1,471,127.84. This represents a 9.45% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 55,124 shares of company stock worth $9,341,875 in the last ninety days. 8.16% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.