Core Viewpoint - Labcorp Holdings (LH) is currently viewed as a better value opportunity compared to Danaher (DHR) based on various financial metrics and rankings [1]. Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Estimates - Labcorp Holdings has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Danaher has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [3]. - The Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that LH is likely experiencing an improvement in its earnings outlook [3]. Group 2: Valuation Metrics - LH has a forward P/E ratio of 17.54, significantly lower than DHR's forward P/E of 26.90, indicating that LH may be undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for LH is 1.83, while DHR's PEG ratio is 2.98, further suggesting that LH has a more favorable valuation relative to its expected earnings growth [5]. - LH's P/B ratio is 2.82, compared to DHR's P/B of 2.86, showing that LH's market value is more attractive relative to its book value [6]. Group 3: Overall Value Assessment - Based on the stronger estimate revision activity and more attractive valuation metrics, LH is concluded to be the superior option for value investors at this time [7].

Core Insights - Labcorp Holdings Inc. is set to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 28, with adjusted earnings of $4.35 in the last quarter, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.07% [1] - The company has consistently surpassed estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 2.52% [1] Q3 Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Labcorp's Q3 2025 revenues is $3.56 billion, indicating an 8.3% increase from the previous year [2] - The expected EPS for Q3 2025 is projected to rise 18% to $4.13 [2] Estimate Revision Trend - Earnings estimates for Labcorp's third-quarter have increased by 1 cent in the past week, reflecting positive sentiment ahead of the earnings announcement [3] Factors Influencing Performance - The Diagnostics Laboratories segment is anticipated to deliver strong results due to organic growth and acquisitions, enhancing Labcorp's presence in hospitals and improving patient access [4] - Recent acquisitions, including Incyte Diagnostics' clinical pathology business and BioReference Health's oncology testing services, are expected to positively impact Q3 revenues [5][6] - Innovative offerings in specialty areas, such as new oncology tests and the first FDA-cleared blood test for Alzheimer's disease, are likely to drive higher test volumes [7] Revenue Growth Drivers - The Labcorp OnDemand channel is expected to contribute to revenue growth through various health and wellness tests [8] - The Diagnostics segment is projected to see an 8.4% year-over-year revenue increase [9] - The Biopharma Laboratory Services segment is likely to benefit from strong performance in Central Laboratories and the addition of digital pathology capabilities [10][11] Operational Efficiencies - Labcorp's use of digital technologies and AI is expected to enhance operational efficiencies, improving key metrics and margins [12] - The LaunchPad initiative is anticipated to yield annual savings of $100-125 million [12] Earnings Expectations - The adjusted operating income for the Diagnostics business is expected to increase by 14.7%, while the Biopharma segment is projected to see a 7.8% improvement year-over-year [13]

Core Insights - The Medical Services sector is experiencing rapid transformation due to digital health advancements, value-based care adoption, and a focus on patient-centric solutions [1] - The global healthcare analytics market is projected to grow from $53.12 billion in 2024 to approximately $369.7 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 21.4% [1] - The U.S. digital health market is expected to increase from about $145.9 billion in 2024 to $396.7 billion by 2028, reflecting a CAGR of 28.4% [4] Industry Overview - The Zacks Medical Services industry includes third-party service providers and caregivers, transitioning from volume-based to value-based care [3] - The resurgence in medical tourism is boosting the sector, necessitating advanced facilities and specialized external service providers [3] Trends Impacting the Industry - Digital Revolution: The increasing availability of unstructured health data and advanced analytics is driving the importance of big data in healthcare, with the global big data in healthcare market expected to grow from $78 billion in 2024 to $540 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 19.20% [4] - Healthcare Staffing Shortage: A projected shortfall of over 100,000 healthcare workers by 2028, including 73,000 nursing assistants, is expected to elevate labor costs [2][5] - Revival in Nursing Care Market: Employment for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, indicating high demand for specialized nursing roles [6] Current Industry Performance - The Medical Services Industry has underperformed compared to the Medical sector and the S&P 500, with a collective loss of 14.9% over the past year [10] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 15.1X, lower than the S&P 500's 23.7X and the sector's 20.1X [13] Company Highlights - Labcorp Holdings (LH): Expected earnings growth rate of 11.9% for 2025, with a revenue increase of 7.7% from 2024 [19][20] - Charles River Laboratories (CRL): Projected earnings growth rate of 4.9% for 2026, with revenue growth of 2.6% [23][24] - Teladoc Health (TDOC): Anticipated earnings growth rates of 80.1% for 2025 and 26.9% for 2026 [27][28]

Core Viewpoint - Labcorp Holdings (LH) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook for the company's earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - An increase in earnings estimates typically leads to higher fair value calculations by institutional investors, resulting in stock price movements [4]. Recent Performance and Outlook - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Labcorp is expected to earn $16.30 per share, with a 1.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Labcorp's underlying business, which is likely to drive the stock price higher as investors respond positively to this trend [5][10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating [9][10]. - Labcorp's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Insights - Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) is a leading global life sciences company with a market cap of $22.9 billion, providing diagnostic, drug development, and laboratory services [1] Financial Performance - LH is expected to report Q3 earnings of $4.12 per share, a 17.7% increase from $3.50 per share in the same quarter last year, having surpassed Wall Street's estimates for the past four quarters [2] - For fiscal 2025, earnings are projected to be $16.30 per share, an 11.9% increase from $14.57 in fiscal 2024, with further growth expected to $17.89 per share in fiscal 2026, representing a 9.8% year-over-year increase [3] Stock Performance - LH stock has increased by 31.9% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 17.9% gain and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund's 4.5% decline during the same period [4] - Following the release of strong Q2 2025 results, LH shares rose by 6.9%, with adjusted EPS of $4.35 and revenues of $3.53 billion exceeding consensus estimates [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus opinion on LH stock is highly optimistic, with a "Strong Buy" rating from 14 out of 18 analysts, while four recommend a "Hold," and the average price target is $296.70, indicating a 6.1% potential upside [6]

Group 1 - Evercore ISI raised the price target on Labcorp (LH) to $305 from $300 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares [1] - The firm's survey indicates a positive outlook for preclinical CROs, with rising budgets and declining cancellations [1] - There is stable demand for discovery and toxicology services projected into 2025 and 2026 [1]

Core Insights - Labcorp Holdings Inc. will release its financial results for Q3 2025 on October 28, 2025, before market opening [1] - A conference call and webcast will be held at 9 a.m. ET on the same day to discuss the results [1][2] - The earnings press release and financial information will be available on the Labcorp Investor Relations website [1] Company Overview - Labcorp is a global leader in laboratory services, providing innovative and comprehensive solutions to healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers [4] - The company employs nearly 70,000 individuals and operates in approximately 100 countries, supporting over 75% of new drugs approved by the FDA in 2024 [4] - Labcorp performs more than 700 million tests annually for patients worldwide [4]

Core Viewpoint - Labcorp Holdings (LH) has shown strong stock performance, reaching a 52-week high and outperforming the broader medical sector and industry [1][2]. Financial Performance - Labcorp has consistently exceeded earnings expectations, reporting EPS of $4.35 against a consensus estimate of $4.14 in its last earnings report [2]. - For the current fiscal year, Labcorp is projected to achieve earnings of $16.3 per share with revenues of $14 billion, reflecting an 11.87% increase in EPS and a 7.65% increase in revenues [3]. - The next fiscal year forecasts earnings of $17.89 per share on $14.7 billion in revenues, indicating a year-over-year change of 9.74% in EPS and 4.98% in revenues [3]. Valuation Metrics - Labcorp's current trading metrics include a P/E ratio of 17.2X for the current fiscal year, which is above the peer industry average of 16.7X [7]. - The stock trades at a trailing cash flow multiple of 12.5X compared to the peer group's average of 10.1X, and has a PEG ratio of 1.79, positioning it favorably for value investors [7]. Zacks Rank and Style Scores - Labcorp holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) due to a positive earnings estimate revision trend, making it a suitable choice for investors [8]. - The company has a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of F, resulting in a combined VGM Score of A [6][8]. Industry Comparison - The Medical Services industry is performing well, ranking in the top 41% of all industries, providing favorable conditions for Labcorp and its peers [11]. - Solventum Corporation (SOLV), a competitor, has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to post earnings of $5.89 per share on revenues of $8.36 billion for the current fiscal year [9][10].

Core Insights - Labcorp Holdings Inc. is positioned for growth due to the robust performance of its Biopharma Laboratory Services segment and a strong focus on operational efficiency [1][3][5] - The company has experienced a 24.1% stock increase over the past year, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 [2] - Despite strong financial health and operational initiatives, macroeconomic challenges may limit Labcorp's growth potential [1][9] Financial Performance - Labcorp has a market capitalization of $23.04 billion and an earnings yield of 5.8%, surpassing the industry's 4.2% [2] - The company reported a 11% year-over-year growth in its Biopharma Laboratory Services segment in Q2 2025, with Central Laboratories growing by 8% and Early Development by 20% [3][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Labcorp's 2025 earnings remains at $16.30, with revenues expected to reach $14.00 billion, indicating a 7.7% increase from 2024 [10] Operational Efficiency - Labcorp is enhancing operational efficiency through initiatives like LaunchPad, which improved the adjusted operating margin by 20 basis points in Q2 [5][6] - The introduction of digital solutions such as the Labcorp Diagnostic Assistant and eClaim Assist aims to streamline workflows and improve billing efficiencies [6] Financial Health - As of Q2 2025, Labcorp had cash and cash equivalents of $793 million, short-term debt of $500 million, and long-term debt of $5.08 billion [7] - The company returned capital to shareholders through $59.9 million in dividends and $200 million in stock repurchases, with a dividend payout ratio of 19% [7] Challenges - Macroeconomic factors, including inflation and geopolitical tensions, have negatively impacted demand for diagnostic testing and drug development services, leading to an 8.1% increase in the cost of revenues year-over-year [9]

Core Insights - Labcorp Holdings Inc. is valued at a market cap of $23 billion and is a leading global provider of comprehensive laboratory services [1] - The company operates through its Diagnostics Laboratories and Biopharma Laboratory Services segments, offering a wide range of testing, specialty diagnostics, and drug development solutions [1][2] Financial Performance - Labcorp's shares have fallen 2.7% from its 52-week high of $283.47 but have risen 5.4% over the past three months, outperforming The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLV) 2.6% gain [3] - Year-to-date, Labcorp's stock is up 20.3%, significantly exceeding XLV's 1.1% decline, and has soared 24.2% over the past 52 weeks compared to XLV's 12.4% decrease [4] - The company reported strong Q2 2025 results with adjusted EPS of $4.35 and revenues of $3.53 billion, surpassing estimates [5] - Growth in Q2 was driven by Diagnostics Laboratories, which grew 8.9% to $2.75 billion, and Biopharma Laboratory Services, which rose 11% to $784.8 million [5] - Full-year 2025 guidance has been raised, with revenue growth now expected at 7.5% - 8.6% and adjusted EPS at $16.05 - $16.50 [5] Market Position and Analyst Sentiment - Despite rival Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) outperforming Labcorp on a year-to-date basis with a 22.4% increase, Labcorp has outperformed DGX over the past 52 weeks [6] - Analysts maintain a bullish outlook on Labcorp, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" from 18 analysts and a mean price target of $295.53, representing a 5.9% premium to current levels [6]