Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) - Equities research analysts at Gabelli boosted their FY2017 EPS estimates for shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. Gabelli analyst S. Wojda now forecasts that the medical research company will earn $5.70 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $5.50. Gabelli also issued estimates for Quest Diagnostics’ FY2018 earnings at $6.05 EPS, FY2019 earnings at $6.45 EPS, FY2020 earnings at $6.90 EPS and FY2021 earnings at $7.40 EPS.
A number of other research firms have also issued reports on DGX. Deutsche Bank AG reissued a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Sunday, April 23rd. BidaskClub lowered Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. Bank of America Corporation raised Quest Diagnostics from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $111.00 to $118.00 in a report on Tuesday. Zacks Investment Research lowered Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, FBR & Co raised their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $103.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. The company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $110.84.
Shares of Quest Diagnostics (NYSE DGX) traded up 0.21% during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $109.22. The stock had a trading volume of 275,885 shares. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $109.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $101.93. Quest Diagnostics has a 52-week low of $79.12 and a 52-week high of $112.97. The firm has a market cap of $14.94 billion, a PE ratio of 21.98 and a beta of 0.70.
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The medical research company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.13. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.66% and a net margin of 9.28%. The firm had revenue of $1.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.34 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year.
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 10th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 6th. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.29%.
In other news, SVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 59,762 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.55, for a total transaction of $6,427,403.10. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 78,582 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,451,494.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1.4% in the first quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd now owns 45,053 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $4,423,000 after buying an additional 625 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 30.8% in the first quarter. Creative Planning now owns 4,159 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $408,000 after buying an additional 980 shares in the last quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 628.7% in the first quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,718 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $267,000 after buying an additional 2,345 shares in the last quarter. Acropolis Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 3.5% in the first quarter. Acropolis Investment Management LLC now owns 8,025 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $788,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chevy Chase Trust Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 2.3% in the first quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 118,823 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $11,667,000 after buying an additional 2,668 shares in the last quarter. 90.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Quest Diagnostics Company Profile
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is a provider of diagnostic information services. The Company operates through two businesses: Diagnostic Information Services and Diagnostic Solutions. The Diagnostic Information Services business develops and delivers diagnostic testing information and services, providing insights that empower and enable a range of customers, including patients, clinicians, hospitals, integrated delivery networks (IDNs), health plans, employers and accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
