Robert W. Baird Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) Stock

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) had its price target upped by Robert W. Baird from $191.00 to $194.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an "outperform" rating on the medical research company's stock. Robert W. Baird's price target suggests a potential upside of 10.31% from the company's current price.

DGX has been the subject of several other reports. Leerink Partners upgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $169.00 to $174.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $168.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Leerink Partnrs raised shares of Quest Diagnostics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $172.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $185.07.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 1.2 %

NYSE:DGX traded up $2.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $175.86. The company had a trading volume of 417,669 shares, compared to its average volume of 963,238. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $168.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $161.16. The company has a market capitalization of $19.63 billion, a PE ratio of 22.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.02. Quest Diagnostics has a 52 week low of $134.50 and a 52 week high of $178.87.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 403 shares of Quest Diagnostics stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.30, for a total transaction of $66,212.90. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at $759,723.20. The trade was a 8.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.57, for a total value of $205,712.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 16,867 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,775,802.19. This represents a 6.90 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 55,903 shares of company stock valued at $9,460,221 over the last three months. 8.16% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DGX. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 57.8% in the first 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 last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its position in Quest Diagnostics by 11,100.0% during the first quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 224 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the company's stock.

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.