Quest Diagnostics(US:DGX) ZACKS·2026-02-10 16:45Core Insights - Quest Diagnostics Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.42, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.85% and up 8.5% year-over-year [1][2] - The company’s full-year 2025 adjusted EPS was $9.85, reflecting a 10.3% increase from the previous year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.5% [2] Revenue Performance - Fourth-quarter revenues increased by 7.1% year-over-year to $2.81 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.08% [3][4] - Diagnostic Information Services revenues rose 7.3% year-over-year to $2.74 billion, with requisition volumes up 8.5% [3][7] Margin Analysis - The cost of services for the quarter was $1.90 billion, a 7.5% increase year-over-year, while gross profit was $910 million, up 6.1% [5] - The gross margin decreased by 30 basis points to 32.4%, and the adjusted operating margin contracted by 49 basis points to 14.5% [5][10] Financial Position - At the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $420 million, down from $549 million at the end of 2024 [6] - Cumulative net cash from operating activities was $1.89 billion, an increase from $1.33 billion at the end of 2024 [6] 2026 Guidance - For full-year 2026, revenues are projected to be between $11.70 billion and $11.82 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 6% to 7.1% [7][8] - Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $10.50 to $10.70, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $10.45 [8] Strategic Execution - The company has focused on deploying AI and automation across its systems and has introduced innovations in its Advanced Diagnostics portfolio [10] - Quest Diagnostics achieved 3% annual cost savings and productivity improvements through its Invigorate program [10]