DGX
HealthcareQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical - Diagnostics & Research · $22B
What is Quest Diagnostics Incorporated?
Quest Diagnostics is one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the United States, serving patients, physicians, hospitals, and health plans with a broad range of diagnostic testing services. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, the company operates under several well-known brands.
Quest Diagnostics generates revenue by processing and interpreting diagnostic tests ordered by clinicians, hospitals, and health plans. Its laboratory network handles routine blood work, advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology, and risk assessment services for life insurers. The company also provides healthcare IT solutions under its Quanum brand. Patients access services through a nationwide footprint of patient service centers, physician-office phlebotomists, and mobile health professionals.
Quest Diagnostics was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey.
- Routine and advanced clinical laboratory testing
- Anatomic pathology services under AmeriPath and Dermpath Diagnostics brands
- Life insurance risk assessment via ExamOne
- Healthcare IT and data solutions via Quanum
- Employer and health plan wellness testing programs
Is DGX a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates DGX as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed profile across the five quality pillars.
Valuation stands out as the relative bright spot in DGX's profile, rated Good — suggesting the stock is not priced at a significant premium relative to its fundamentals. Quality, Moat, and Growth are each rated Neutral, indicating a stable but undifferentiated business without a clear competitive edge or accelerating earnings trajectory.
The Risk pillar is rated Weak, which is the most notable drag on the overall score and warrants attention from investors evaluating downside scenarios.
Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to form a more complete picture of DGX. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does DGX pay dividends?
Yes — Quest Diagnostics Incorporated pays a dividend.
Quest Diagnostics pays a regular dividend, which is consistent with its position as a large, established healthcare services company generating recurring cash flows. The dividend reflects management's confidence in the stability of its laboratory network business. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend cadence appealing, though the full yield context is available in the Pro analysis.
When does DGX report earnings?
Quest Diagnostics reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed large-cap equities.
The company's results tend to reflect volume trends in diagnostic testing, reimbursement rate dynamics, and acquisition activity. Growth has been measured rather than rapid, consistent with the Neutral Growth pillar rating in the UQS framework.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Quest Diagnostics' investor relations page directly.
DGX Price History
+71.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated?
Based on Quest Diagnostics Incorporated's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
DGX Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for Quest Diagnostics is steady rather than dynamic. With Growth and Quality both rated Neutral, the business appears positioned for modest, incremental progress rather than an inflection in earnings power. The Weak Risk rating introduces meaningful uncertainty around the trajectory — factors such as reimbursement pressure, integration of acquisitions, and competitive pricing in the lab testing market could weigh on results. The Good Valuation rating suggests the market has already priced in a measured outlook.
Growth drivers
- Aging US population increasing demand for routine and specialty diagnostic testing
- Expansion of advanced and genomic testing capabilities
- Healthcare IT solutions adding recurring revenue streams
Key risks
- Reimbursement rate pressure from government and commercial payers
- Integration risk from acquisitions across a large laboratory network
- Competitive pricing dynamics with national and regional lab peers
DGX vs Peers
Quest Diagnostics operates in a concentrated diagnostics landscape alongside a small number of large national and specialty competitors.
Labcorp is Quest's closest direct rival, operating a similarly scaled national laboratory network with comparable test menus and payer relationships.
Illumina focuses on genomic sequencing technology and platforms rather than clinical lab services, representing the upstream innovation layer that feeds advanced diagnostics.
Exact Sciences specializes in cancer screening tests, competing with Quest in the high-growth molecular diagnostics segment rather than across the full testing menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Quest Diagnostics do?
Quest Diagnostics operates one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the United States. It processes routine and advanced diagnostic tests for patients, physicians, hospitals, and health plans. The company also provides anatomic pathology services, life insurance risk assessments, and healthcare IT solutions under several brand names.
Does DGX pay dividends?
Yes, Quest Diagnostics pays a regular dividend. The company's established cash flow profile from its laboratory network supports consistent dividend payments. Income-focused investors should review the current yield and payout details on Quest's investor relations page or through a brokerage platform.
When does DGX report earnings?
Quest Diagnostics reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For the exact date of the next earnings release, check the company's investor relations page or a financial calendar service.
Is DGX a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates DGX as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, but the Risk pillar is rated Weak, and Quality, Moat, and Growth are each Neutral. Whether that profile suits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is DGX overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for DGX is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not trading at an obvious premium relative to its fundamentals. That said, valuation should be considered alongside the Weak Risk rating and Neutral growth profile when forming a view on price attractiveness.
How does DGX compare to its competitors?
Quest Diagnostics competes most directly with Labcorp in the national clinical lab space. Illumina and Exact Sciences represent more specialized competitors in genomic technology and cancer screening, respectively. Each operates with a different business model and risk profile — the UQS Score for each is available on their individual pages.
What is DGX's market cap bracket?
Quest Diagnostics is classified as a large-cap company, reflecting its scale as one of the dominant players in the US diagnostic testing industry. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to smaller peers.
Who founded Quest Diagnostics?
Quest Diagnostics traces its origins to 1967. The company has evolved significantly over the decades through organic growth and acquisitions, becoming one of the largest diagnostic information services businesses in the United States. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's official corporate profile.
Is DGX a long-term quality indicator?
As a long-term quality indicator, DGX's UQS profile is mixed. The Neutral ratings across Quality, Moat, and Growth suggest a stable but not strongly differentiated business. The Weak Risk pillar is a meaningful consideration for long-horizon investors. Pro members can access the full breakdown to assess durability of the business model.
What is the main competitive advantage of Quest Diagnostics?
Quest's primary advantage is its scale — a nationwide network of laboratories and patient service centers that creates logistical barriers for smaller competitors. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Neutral, indicating this advantage does not yet translate into a clearly superior competitive position relative to sector peers.
What sector does DGX belong to?
Quest Diagnostics operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within diagnostic and laboratory services. The company's revenue is closely tied to healthcare utilization trends, reimbursement policy, and the volume of physician-ordered tests across its network.
Is DGX a growth stock or value stock?
Based on the UQS framework, DGX leans toward value characteristics — the Valuation pillar is rated Good while the Growth pillar is Neutral, suggesting modest earnings expansion expectations rather than high-growth dynamics. It may appeal more to investors seeking stability and income than rapid capital appreciation.
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Pro Analysis
DGX — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 50.5 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 71.8 | 0.0 |
| May 22, 2026 | 50.5 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 72.0 | -0.1 |
| May 21, 2026 | 50.6 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 72.3 | 0.0 |
| May 19, 2026 | 50.6 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 72.8 | -0.1 |
| May 16, 2026 | 50.7 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 73.3 | 0.0 |
| May 15, 2026 | 50.7 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 73.1 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 50.6 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 72.8 | -0.1 |
| May 11, 2026 | 50.7 | 52.8 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 73.1 | +1.0 |
| May 10, 2026 | 49.7 | 52.4 | 52.0 | 47.0 | 27.3 | 67.3 | -0.8 |
| May 3, 2026 | 50.5 | 52.2 | 52.0 | 46.9 | 27.3 | 73.3 | 0.0 |
DGX — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 52.8/100 (25%)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 47.0/100 (20%)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 27.3/100 (15%)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 73.3/100 (15%)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 52/100 (25%)Quest Diagnostics Incorporated possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for DGX.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the DGX UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Quest Diagnostics Incorporated's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.