Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. Raises Holdings in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)

Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. raised its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX - Free Report) by 30.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 514,558 shares of the medical research company's stock after buying an additional 121,533 shares during the period. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. owned about 0.46% of Quest Diagnostics worth $77,626,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of DGX. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. First Financial Corp IN bought a new position in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in Quest Diagnostics by 340.4% during the fourth 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. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the fourth quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics during the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. 88.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Quest Diagnostics Trading Down 1.2 %

DGX traded down $2.12 on Friday, hitting $173.75. The company had a trading volume of 1,033,426 shares, compared to its average volume of 963,874. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $168.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $160.98. 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 Incorporated has a 12-month low of $134.05 and a 12-month high of $178.87. The company has a market cap of $19.39 billion, a PE ratio of 22.59, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.78.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The medical research company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $2.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 15.07% and a net margin of 8.80%. Equities research analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current year.

Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 21st. Investors of record on Monday, April 7th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, April 7th. This is a boost from Quest Diagnostics's previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. Quest Diagnostics's payout ratio is currently 40.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on DGX. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $182.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $166.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Citigroup lowered shares of Quest Diagnostics from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 target price for the company. in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $195.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Eight equities research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Quest Diagnostics has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $183.73.

Insider Activity at Quest Diagnostics

In related news, Director Vicky B. Gregg sold 1,250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on 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 in the company, valued at $2,775,802.19. The trade was a 6.90 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 403 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.30, for a total value of $66,212.90. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 4,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $759,723.20. The trade was a 8.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 55,903 shares of company stock worth $9,460,221. Insiders own 8.16% of the company's stock.

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.