Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by analysts at Robert W. Baird from $224.00 to $229.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the medical research company’s stock. Robert W. Baird’s price objective suggests a potential upside of 14.99% from the stock’s current price.
A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on DGX. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” 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. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $210.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $225.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Tuesday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $214.54.
View Our Latest Analysis on Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance
Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The medical research company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.13. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 9.07% and a return on equity of 15.60%. The business had revenue of $2.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.94 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.630-10.830 EPS. Analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics will post 10.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Quest Diagnostics announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, February 10th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical research company to repurchase up to 4.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.
Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics
In related news, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 2,855 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $206.21, for a total value of $588,729.55. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 15,198 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,133,979.58. This represents a 15.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 5,558 shares of the 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. The trade was a 7.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 24,083 shares of company stock valued at $4,945,262 in the last quarter. Insiders own 8.16% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,387 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $241,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,292 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $1,960,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 4,232 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $807,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Finally, True North Advisors LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. True North Advisors LLC now owns 1,554 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Key Headlines Impacting Quest Diagnostics
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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