Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) Shares Bought by Whittier Trust Co.

Whittier Trust Co. raised its holdings in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) by 34.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,558 shares of the medical research company’s stock after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co.’s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $235,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sandy Spring Bank raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 142.5% during the 4th quarter. Sandy Spring Bank now owns 485 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $409,000. Xponance Inc. raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 17,401 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $2,625,000 after acquiring an additional 795 shares in the last quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $4,470,000. Finally, RD Lewis Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $439,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE:DGX opened at $166.96 on Monday. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1 year low of $125.42 and a 1 year high of $178.87. The stock has a market cap of $18.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.71, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.92. The business has a fifty day moving average of $165.18 and a 200-day moving average of $158.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.10.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The medical research company reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.19 by $0.04. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.07% and a net margin of 8.80%. Equities analysts predict that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 21st. Investors of record on Monday, April 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 7th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. This is a boost from Quest Diagnostics’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. Quest Diagnostics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.61%.

Insider Activity at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.57, for a total transaction of $205,712.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,867 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,775,802.19. This trade represents a 6.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 403 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.30, for a total value of $66,212.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,624 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $759,723.20. This trade represents a 8.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,157 shares of company stock valued at $2,423,755 over the last 90 days. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $172.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley raised Quest Diagnostics from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price target for the company from $145.00 to $172.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Bank of America upped their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $179.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $190.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $178.38.

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.