Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) had its target price upped by equities researchers at Truist Financial from $220.00 to $225.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “hold” rating on the medical research company’s stock. Truist Financial’s price target would indicate a potential upside of 12.98% from the company’s current price.
Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on DGX. Robert W. Baird set a $219.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $210.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Evercore set a $225.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $214.54.
View Our Latest Research Report on Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The medical research company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $2.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.83 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.07% and a return on equity of 15.60%. The company’s revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.630-10.830 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics will post 10.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Quest Diagnostics announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, February 10th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the medical research company to purchase up to 4.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.
Insider Activity
In related news, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 5,558 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $206.21, for a total transaction of $1,146,115.18. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 67,122 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,841,227.62. This trade represents a 7.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 2,855 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $206.21, for a total transaction of $588,729.55. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 15,198 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,133,979.58. The trade was a 15.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 24,083 shares of company stock valued at $4,945,262 in the last ninety days. 8.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics
Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $323,000. Cresset Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.6% during the second quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 4,003 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $719,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the second quarter valued at $287,000. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 7.2% in the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 14,339 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $2,576,000 after buying an additional 962 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 17.1% in the second quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 18,599 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $3,341,000 after buying an additional 2,718 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key Quest Diagnostics News
Here are the key news stories impacting Quest Diagnostics this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and raised FY‑2026 outlook — Quest reported stronger-than-expected Q1 revenue and EPS and raised its 2026 guidance, with the CEO citing broad‑based growth across consumer testing and advanced diagnostics. That fundamental beat is the primary bullish catalyst. Quest Diagnostics raises 2026 forecast, CEO highlights broad‑based growth
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised estimates and price targets after Q1 — Several firms lifted forecasts/targets (UBS, Robert W. Baird, Barclays, Truist) and coverage pieces highlighted upgraded revenue/earnings outlooks, supporting upside to consensus. These Analysts Boost Their Forecasts On Quest Diagnostics After Better-Than-Expected Earnings
- Positive Sentiment: Technical/market‑strength signal — IBD upgraded Quest for improved price strength, which can attract momentum and retail flows. IBD rating upgrades: Quest Diagnostics shows improved price strength
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks/style momentum coverage — Commentary suggesting DGX is a momentum stock may reinforce interest from style‑focused funds. Here’s Why Quest Diagnostics (DGX) is a Strong Momentum Stock
- Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call / deep dive pieces — Multiple writeups summarize the call and the shifting investment story (organic growth, consumer testing momentum, advanced diagnostics). Useful for longer‑term thesis but less likely to move the tape intraday. Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights DGX Q1 deep dive
- Negative Sentiment: Hedge fund short call — Hedgeye added DGX as a new short idea, creating headline risk and giving short sellers a narrative to increase pressure in the near term. That can amplify intraday selling even with positive fundamentals. Quest Diagnostics added as new short idea at Hedgeye
Quest Diagnostics Company Profile
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) is a leading provider of diagnostic information services that supports clinical decision-making for patients, physicians and healthcare organizations. The company operates a network of clinical laboratories and patient service centers that perform a broad range of laboratory tests and diagnostic assays used in routine care, disease diagnosis, monitoring and screening.
Its services span core clinical laboratory testing, anatomic pathology, molecular and genomic diagnostics, infectious disease testing and toxicology.
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