As of Friday close, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated’s (NYSE:DGX) stock was up $1.26, moving up 0.95 percent to $133.50. The average number of shares traded per day over the past five days has been 626,200 shares. 1 time new highs have been achieved over the past 5 days, with a -$1.51 fall in that time frame. In the last twenty days, the average volume was 819,185, while in the previous 50 days, it was 828,900.
Since last month, DGX stock retreated -7.03%. Shares of the company fell to $130.94 on 08/17/23, the lowest level in the past month. A 52-week high of $158.34 was reached on 01/04/23 after having rallying from a 52-week low of $120.40. Since the beginning of this year, DGX’s stock price has dropped by -14.66% or -$22.94, and marked a new high 2 times. However, the stock has declined by -15.69% since its 52-week high.
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DGX stock investors should be aware that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) stock had its last reported insider trading activity 165 days ago on Mar 07. Doherty Catherine T., the SVP, Regional Businesses of the company, disposed of 5,307 shares for $140.55 on Mar 07. It resulted in a $745,899 divestment by the insider. PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E sold 4,754 shares at an average price of $140.55 on Mar 07. The insider now owns 38,527 shares following the transaction. On Mar 03, SVP, Regional Businesses Doherty Catherine T. sold 717 shares at $140.63 apiece. The transaction was valued at $100,832.
Valuation Metrics
Right now, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) has a P/E ratio of about 19.45. The stock’s beta is 0.93. Besides these, the trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.57, the price-to-book (PB) ratio of 2.39, and the price-to-cash flow ratio of 16.95 may also be considered.
The latest dividend of $0.71 per share was paid out, remained unchanged from last year’s $0.71.
Financial Health
In the three months ended June 29, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated’s quick ratio stood at 0.80, while its current ratio was 0.90, showing that the company is not able to pay off its debt. According to company report, the long-term debt-to-equity ratio for the quarter ending June 29 was 0.60, and the total debt-to-equity ratio was 0.69. On the profitability front, the trailing twelve-month gross margin is 34.00% percent. In the year ended June 29, EBITDA margin amounted to 20.83%, whereas operating margins totaled 12.40%. Based on annual data, DGX earned $3.43 billion in gross profit and brought in $9.88 billion in revenue.
A company’s management is another factor that investors consider when determining the profitability of an investment. In the past year, return on investment (ROI) was 11.70%. Return on equity (ROE) for the past 12 months was 12.90%.
In Quest Diagnostics Incorporated’s quarter-end financial report for June 29, it reported total debt of $3.78 billion. According to the earnings report, the company had a higher net income in the recent quarter than it did in the previous quarter. DGX’s revenue fell -4.92% to $2.33 billion during the quarter, while net income inched up to $2.34 billion. While analysts expected Quest Diagnostics Incorporated to report $2.27 quarterly earnings, the actual figure was $2.3 per share, beating the consensus estimate by 1.30%. During the quarter, the company generated $460.0 million in EBITDA. The liabilities of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated were 7.14 billion at the end of its most recent quarter ended June 29, and its total debt was $4.96 billion. The value of shareholders’ equity is $112.23 million.
Technical Picture
This quick technical analysis looks at Quest Diagnostics Incorporated’s (DGX) price momentum. With a historical volatility rate of 12.21%, the RSI 9-day stood at 40.24% on 18 August.
With respect to its five-day moving average, the current Quest Diagnostics Incorporated price is down by -1.12% percent or -$1.51. At present, DGX shares trade -7.53% below its 20-day simple moving average and -4.25% percent below its 100-day simple moving average. However, the stock is currently trading approximately -1.04% below its SMA50 and -7.07% below its SMA200.
Stochastic coefficient K was 18.98% and Stochastic coefficient D was 15.23%, while ATR was 1.99. Given the Stochastic reading of 37.65% for the 14-day period, the RSI (14) reading has been calculated as 40.83%. As of today, the MACD Oscillator reading stands at -1.32, while the 14-day reading stands at -1.91.
Analyst Ratings
Piper Sandler launched its rating on Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) to a Neutral in a note to investors on June 29, 2023. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) has been rated Hold by analysts. According to 0 brokerage firms, DGX is a sell, and 16 firms recommend it is a Hold. There are 0 analysts who say the stock is underweight. A total of 0 analysts rate Quest Diagnostics Incorporated stock as buy, with 4 recommending it as overweight.
With a median target price of $146.50, the current consensus forecast for the stock is $140.00 – $165.00. Based on these forecasts, analysts predict Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) will achieve an average price target of $147.94.
