Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) SVP Patrick Plewman Sells 1,975 Shares

Key Points

• Patrick Plewman, Senior Vice President of Quest Diagnostics, sold 1,975 shares of the company's stock at an average price of $185.00, totaling $365,375, which represents an 11.45% decrease in his ownership.
• Quest Diagnostics reported earnings of $2.62 per share for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' estimates of $2.57 and showing a 15.2% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.80, scheduled for payout on October 20th, which reflects a 1.8% yield and a payout ratio of 38.32%.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) SVP Patrick Plewman sold 1,975 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.00, for a total value of $365,375.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 15,269 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,824,765. This trade represents a 11.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Patrick Plewman also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Tuesday, August 19th, Patrick Plewman sold 4,532 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.00, for a total transaction of $829,356.00.
• On Friday, August 15th, Patrick Plewman sold 1,975 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.00, for a total transaction of $355,500.00.
• On Wednesday, August 6th, Patrick Plewman sold 5,535 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $968,625.00.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Quest Diagnostics stock traded down $1.4950 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $178.7350. The stock had a trading volume of 753,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,162,832. The company has a 50-day moving average of $175.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $172.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $146.17 and a fifty-two week high of $185.62. The company has a market cap of $19.99 billion, a PE ratio of 21.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.46.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.01% and a return on equity of 15.24%. The firm had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.35 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.630-9.830 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Quest Diagnostics's payout ratio is currently 38.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on DGX shares. Evercore ISI set a $185.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $176.00 to $175.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $160.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $194.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $186.00.

Institutional Trading of Quest Diagnostics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. grew its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 126.9% during the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 152 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 57.8% during the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 183 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 76.6% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 189 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 157.3% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.

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