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Zacks Research Has Pessimistic Outlook of DGX Q3 Earnings

Quest Diagnostics logo with Medical background

Key Points

  • Zacks Research has lowered its Q3 2025 earnings estimate for Quest Diagnostics to $2.49 per share, down from the previous estimate of $2.50.
  • Investment analysts have varied outlooks on Quest Diagnostics, with some having an "outperform" rating and others maintaining a "neutral" stance, reflecting a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
  • Recently, insider selling activity was noted, with senior vice president Patrick Plewman selling 5,535 shares at an average price of $175.00, reflecting a significant reduction in his holdings.
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Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, August 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the medical research company will post earnings per share of $2.49 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.50. The consensus estimate for Quest Diagnostics' current full-year earnings is $9.70 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Quest Diagnostics' Q4 2025 earnings at $2.41 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $9.73 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.27 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.72 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.57 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.53 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.09 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.54 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.77 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $10.85 EPS.

DGX has been the topic of a number of other research reports. William Blair reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price 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. Evercore ISI set a $185.00 target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $191.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $186.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE DGX opened at $178.62 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.09. The company has a market capitalization of $19.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.46. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $174.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $171.40. Quest Diagnostics has a one year low of $146.17 and a one year high of $182.38.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.73 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.01% and a return on equity of 15.24%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.35 EPS.

Insider Activity at Quest Diagnostics

In other Quest Diagnostics news, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 5,535 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $968,625.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,219 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,363,325. The trade was a 22.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 2,210 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $375,700.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 8,450 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,436,500. This represents a 20.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 16,014 shares of company stock worth $2,728,556. 8.16% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Quest Diagnostics

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 2.5% during the first quarter. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,410 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $408,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 5.9% during the first quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 1,059 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $179,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 0.6% during the first quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,513 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Clarius Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.8% during the first quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 1,421 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $240,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1.7% during the first quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 3,922 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Quest Diagnostics

(Get Free Report)

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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Earnings History and Estimates for Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX)

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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