Altshuler Shaham Ltd Takes Position in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 189 shares of the medical research company’s stock, valued at approximately $26,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in DGX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 36.8% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,001,347 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $243,884,000 after purchasing an additional 538,377 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 12.3% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,554,517 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $433,153,000 after acquiring an additional 388,162 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 14.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,613,793 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $318,517,000 after acquiring an additional 333,947 shares during the period. Pathstone Family Office LLC increased its position in Quest Diagnostics by 2,400.9% in the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 336,521 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $41,008,000 after acquiring an additional 323,065 shares during the period. Finally, AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,869,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total transaction of $83,378.54. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 40,206 shares in the company, valued at $5,071,584.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Michael E. Prevoznik sold 661 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total transaction of $83,378.54. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 40,206 shares in the company, valued at $5,071,584.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 821 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.14, for a total value of $103,560.94. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,930,712. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,910 shares of company stock worth $2,159,602. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of Quest Diagnostics stock traded down $0.79 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $136.15. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 612,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,051,337. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.32, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $130.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $132.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1-year low of $119.59 and a 1-year high of $145.58.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The medical research company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.29 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.52% and a net margin of 9.11%. Quest Diagnostics’s revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.04 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Leerink Partnrs restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 24th. SVB Leerink began coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Monday, February 26th. They set a “market perform” rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com cut Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $146.17.

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.