2,296 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated $DGX Shares Acquired by Net Worth Advisory Group

Net Worth Advisory Group increased its holdings in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) by 47.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,129 shares of the medical research company’s stock after buying an additional 2,296 shares during the period. Net Worth Advisory Group’s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $1,662,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DGX. Key Financial Inc raised its position in Quest Diagnostics by 1,728.6% during the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 128 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 492.9% during the 1st quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 166 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of DGX opened at $234.92 on Tuesday. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1 year low of $171.18 and a 1 year high of $248.84. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $237.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $215.75. The company has a market capitalization of $25.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.09, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.59.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.82 by $0.30. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 16.01% and a net margin of 9.18%. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.62 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.250 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 11.15 EPS for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 6th will be given a $0.86 dividend. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 6th. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Quest Diagnostics news, CEO J. Davis sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.72, for a total transaction of $2,427,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 122,423 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $29,714,510.56. The trade was a 7.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Mark Delaney sold 1,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.18, for a total value of $376,288.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 10,335 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,430,585.30. This represents a 13.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 34,277 shares of company stock valued at $8,316,493. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on DGX shares. Wall Street Zen raised Quest Diagnostics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $245.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $236.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Argus set a $260.00 price objective on Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $235.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Quest Diagnostics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $238.23.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) is a provider of diagnostic information services. The company performs laboratory testing that helps physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers diagnose, treat and monitor diseases and health conditions. Its services include routine blood and other specimen testing, pathology, molecular and genetic testing, and specialized diagnostic services.

Quest Diagnostics serves a broad range of customers, including hospitals, physician practices, health plans, employers, government agencies and individual consumers.