Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) Stock Holdings Increased by Czech National Bank

Czech National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) by 8.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,169 shares of the medical research company’s stock after buying an additional 1,640 shares during the period. Czech National Bank’s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $2,898,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DGX. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Spartan Planning & Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its position in Quest Diagnostics by 79.3% during the 4th quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 242 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 179.8% in the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 291 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.06% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Quest Diagnostics

In other news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 420 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.08, for a total value of $60,093.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 5,019 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $718,118.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

NYSE:DGX traded up $0.65 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $149.96. 124,287 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 991,351. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a twelve month low of $119.59 and a twelve month high of $151.78. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $142.17 and a 200 day moving average of $135.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.89.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The medical research company reported $2.35 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by $0.04. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 15.35%. The company had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.39 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.89 EPS for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 8th were paid a $0.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 8th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.00%. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio is presently 40.38%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on DGX shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $150.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $153.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 24th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $138.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $150.58.

Quest Diagnostics Profile

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.