Quest Diagnostics (DGX)
Market Price (11/6/2025): $178.25 | Market Cap: $20.0 BilSector: Health Care | Industry: Health Care Services
Quest Diagnostics (DGX)
Market Price (11/6/2025): $178.25Market Cap: $20.0 BilSector: Health CareIndustry: Health Care Services
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 6.6%, FCF Yield is 7.0% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -20%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -44% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 17%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 23% |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 6.6%, FCF Yield is 7.0% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 17%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 23% |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -20%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -44% |
Market Valuation & Key Metrics
DGX Stock
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| DGX Return | 14% | 48% | -8% | -10% | 12% | 20% | 88% |
| Peers Return | 38% | 16% | -30% | 24% | 21% | -3% | 64% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 110% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| DGX Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 50% | 42% | 58% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 60% | 58% | 38% | 50% | 55% | 48% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| DGX Max Drawdown | -31% | -3% | -29% | -22% | -10% | 0% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -37% | -15% | -44% | -8% | -7% | -27% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: HCA, LH, DVA, SEM, NEO. See DGX Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/5/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | DGX | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -29.6% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 42.1% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 887 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -36.6% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 57.7% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 24 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -30.6% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 44.2% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 436 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -31.0% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 44.8% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 388 days | 1480 days |
Compare to HCA, LH, DVA, SEM, NEO
In The Past
Quest Diagnostics's stock fell -29.6% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/31/2021. A -29.6% loss requires a 42.1% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to DGX. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | GDRX | GoodRx | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | -1.2% | -1.2% | -3.3% |
| 10312025 | DXCM | DexCom | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| 10242025 | ACHC | Acadia Healthcare | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -11.6% | -11.6% | -11.7% |
| 10102025 | PBH | Prestige Consumer Healthcare | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -1.9% | -1.9% | -1.9% |
| 10032025 | REGN | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.4% | 7.4% | -7.0% |
| 03312020 | DGX | Quest Diagnostics | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 43.3% | 63.4% | -8.7% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10312025 | GDRX | GoodRx | Dip Buy | DB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap | -1.2% | -1.2% | -3.3% |
| 10312025 | DXCM | DexCom | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| 10242025 | ACHC | Acadia Healthcare | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -11.6% | -11.6% | -11.7% |
| 10102025 | PBH | Prestige Consumer Healthcare | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -1.9% | -1.9% | -1.9% |
| 10032025 | REGN | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.4% | 7.4% | -7.0% |
| 03312020 | DGX | Quest Diagnostics | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 43.3% | 63.4% | -8.7% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Quest Diagnostics
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 149.71 |
| Mkt Cap | 14.3 |
| Rev LTM | 12,084 |
| Op Inc LTM | 1,448 |
| FCF LTM | 1,337 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 1,042 |
| CFO LTM | 1,844 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 1,492 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 9.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 5.6% |
| Rev Chg Q | 7.9% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.9% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 12.0% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 11.4% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.2% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.7% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 13.2% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 9.9% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 8.4% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 14.3 |
| P/S | 1.5 |
| P/EBIT | 7.7 |
| P/E | 16.9 |
| P/CFO | 10.0 |
| Total Yield | 6.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.9% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 6.0% |
| D/E | 0.4 |
| Net D/E | 0.3 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 1.7% |
| 3M Rtn | 8.1% |
| 6M Rtn | 2.2% |
| 12M Rtn | -3.5% |
| 3Y Rtn | 37.3% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -0.6% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 0.8% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -18.5% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -20.0% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -41.0% |
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Information Services (DIS) | 8,976 | 9,609 | 10,494 | 9,139 | 7,405 |
| Diagnostic Solutions (DS) | 276 | ||||
| All other operating segments | 274 | 294 | 298 | 321 | |
| Total | 9,252 | 9,883 | 10,788 | 9,437 | 7,726 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Information Services (DIS) | 1,547 | 1,704 | 2,646 | 2,201 | 1,298 |
| Diagnostic Solutions (DS) | 34 | ||||
| General corporate activities | -319 | -296 | -294 | -269 | -109 |
| All other operating segments | 20 | 29 | 39 | 42 | |
| Total | 1,262 | 1,428 | 2,381 | 1,971 | 1,231 |
Returns Analyses
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 10/21/2025 | -3.0% | -5.3% | |
| 7/22/2025 | 7.1% | 0.8% | 9.8% |
| 4/22/2025 | 6.8% | 9.2% | 10.1% |
| 1/30/2025 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 11.2% |
| 10/22/2024 | 6.9% | 5.8% | 9.4% |
| 7/23/2024 | -4.3% | -3.5% | 2.4% |
| 4/23/2024 | 5.1% | 7.2% | 10.2% |
| 2/1/2024 | -1.0% | -0.8% | -2.9% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 14 | 13 | 15 |
| # Negative | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Median Positive | 4.0% | 6.1% | 9.8% |
| Median Negative | -3.4% | -2.6% | -6.2% |
| Max Positive | 7.1% | 18.5% | 20.6% |
| Max Negative | -6.8% | -11.6% | -14.9% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10212025 | 10-Q 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7232025 | 10-Q 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 4232025 | 10-Q 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2202025 | 10-K 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10232024 | 10-Q 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 7242024 | 10-Q 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 4242024 | 10-Q 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2222024 | 10-K 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 10252023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 7272023 | 10-Q 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 4282023 | 10-Q 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2212023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 10212022 | 10-Q 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 7222022 | 10-Q 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 4222022 | 10-Q 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2282022 | 10-K 12/31/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Plewman Patrick | SVP for Diagnostic Services | 8252025 | Sell | 185.00 | 1,975 | 365,375 | 2,824,765 | Form |
| 1 | Plewman Patrick | SVP for Diagnostic Services | 8192025 | Sell | 180.00 | 1,975 | 355,500 | 3,103,920 | Form |
| 2 | DELANEY MARK E | SVP & Chief Commercial Officer | 5142025 | Sell | 175.72 | 874 | 153,579 | 1,471,128 | Form |
| 3 | Davis J. E. | CEO and President | 4042025 | Sell | 168.03 | 2,366 | 397,553 | 27,631,786 | Form |
| 4 | KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK | SVP, Clinical Solutions | 4042025 | Sell | 170.00 | 2,555 | 434,350 | 1,797,750 | Form |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |