Q3 EPS Estimates for Quest Diagnostics Cut by Zacks Research

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) – Research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q3 2025 earnings per share estimates for Quest Diagnostics in a research report issued on Tuesday, August 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the medical research company will post earnings of $2.49 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate 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.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on DGX. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $191.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $160.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen cut Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, August 10th. William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $186.00.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

NYSE:DGX opened at $178.44 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $19.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $174.57 and its 200-day moving average is $171.58. Quest Diagnostics has a 1-year low of $146.17 and a 1-year high of $182.38.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.73 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.24% and a net margin of 9.01%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.35 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of DGX. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. raised its position in Quest Diagnostics by 126.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 152 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its position in Quest Diagnostics by 57.8% in the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 183 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in Quest Diagnostics by 76.6% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 189 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Quest Diagnostics by 157.3% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 193 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Karthik Kuppusamy sold 8,269 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $167.40, for a total transaction of $1,384,230.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,660 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,784,484. This represents a 43.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Patrick Plewman sold 5,535 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $968,625.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,363,325. The trade was a 22.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,014 shares of company stock worth $2,728,556 over the last ninety days. 8.16% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 3rd. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio is presently 38.32%.

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.