Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) Shares Bought by Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund raised its holdings in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 56.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,150 shares of the medical research company's stock after buying an additional 1,854 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund's holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $777,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DGX. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 340.4% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 251 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. First Financial Corp IN acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $82,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.06% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 403 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.30, for a total transaction of $66,212.90. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at $759,723.20. This represents a 8.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the company'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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,867 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,775,802.19. This represents a 6.90 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.79% of the company's stock.

Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance

Shares of DGX traded up $0.46 on Thursday, reaching $172.21. 1,147,198 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,045,251. The firm has a market cap of $19.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.02. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 12 month low of $123.30 and a 12 month high of $172.64. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $157.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $155.68.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last announced 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 return on equity of 15.07% and a net margin of 8.80%. Equities analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 7th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 7th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.86%. This is a positive change from Quest Diagnostics's previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. Quest Diagnostics's payout ratio is currently 41.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DGX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup boosted their price target on Quest Diagnostics from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Baird R W upgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Leerink Partnrs upgraded Quest Diagnostics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $185.00 target price (up from $175.00) on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $168.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $177.69.

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.