Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) Shares Bought by Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.

Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 47.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,969 shares of the medical research company's stock after buying an additional 4,188 shares during the quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C.'s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $1,957,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 340.4% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 251 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 194 shares during the period. First Financial Corp IN bought a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the fourth quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter valued at $49,000. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the company's stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE DGX traded down $0.54 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $163.52. 575,335 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 939,635. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 1 year low of $125.42 and a 1 year high of $178.87. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $168.48 and a 200 day moving average of $159.77. The stock has a market cap of $18.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.78. 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 - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The medical research company reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.19 by $0.04. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.80% and a return on equity of 15.07%. On average, research analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 21st. Investors of record on Monday, April 7th will be given a $0.80 dividend. This is a positive change from Quest Diagnostics's previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 7th. Quest Diagnostics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.61%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, CEO J. E. Davis sold 39,191 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.46, for a total transaction of $6,602,115.86. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 127,623 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $21,499,370.58. This represents a 23.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.57, for a total value of $205,712.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 16,867 shares in the company, valued at $2,775,802.19. This trade represents a 6.90 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 55,903 shares of company stock worth $9,460,221. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $180.00 price target (up from $165.00) on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Citigroup downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Redburn Partners set a $195.00 target price on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price target on the stock. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $181.33.

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.