Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) Price Target Raised to $190.00 at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) had its target price increased by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $180.00 to $190.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “neutral” rating on the medical research company’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price target indicates a potential upside of 7.61% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $182.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Leerink Partners upgraded Quest Diagnostics from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $169.00 to $174.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $195.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $185.73.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

DGX stock opened at $176.56 on Tuesday. Quest Diagnostics has a fifty-two week low of $135.47 and a fifty-two week high of $179.32. The company has a market capitalization of $19.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.96, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $169.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $162.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $2.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.63 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.07% and a net margin of 8.80%. Sell-side analysts predict that Quest Diagnostics will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO J. E. Davis sold 39,191 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.46, for a total value of $6,602,115.86. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 127,623 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,499,370.58. This represents a 23.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Catherine T. Doherty sold 535 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.71, for a total value of $90,794.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 71,356 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,109,826.76. This represents a 0.74 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 54,250 shares of company stock valued at $9,188,295. 8.16% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 18.3% in the first quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,003 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $508,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Ironsides Asset Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the 1st quarter worth about $244,000. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the 1st quarter valued at about $246,000. AGP Franklin LLC raised its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 28.4% in the first quarter. AGP Franklin LLC now owns 7,307 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $1,222,000 after acquiring an additional 1,617 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 12,532 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $2,120,000 after buying an additional 1,530 shares in the last quarter. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Quest Diagnostics Company 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.