Do Wall Street Analysts Like Quest Diagnostics Stock?

Core Viewpoint - Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) has shown strong performance in the diagnostic testing sector, with significant stock price appreciation and positive earnings results, indicating robust investor confidence and growth potential. Group 1: Company Overview - Quest Diagnostics is based in Secaucus, New Jersey, and has a market capitalization of $23 billion, providing diagnostic testing and services both domestically and internationally [1]. Group 2: Stock Performance - DGX shares have outperformed the broader market, surging 21.8% over the past 52 weeks and 18.4% year-to-date, compared to the S&P 500 Index's return of 11.9% over the same period [2]. - The stock has also outperformed the State Street Healthcare Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), which rose by 8.7% over the past 52 weeks [3]. Group 3: Earnings Performance - On February 10, Quest Diagnostics reported better-than-expected Q4 2025 earnings, with revenue of $2.81 billion, exceeding forecasts, and adjusted EPS of $2.18, also surpassing Wall Street projections [6]. - Management raised its full-year revenue forecast to between $10.8 billion and $10.9 billion, with adjusted EPS expected to be in the range of $9.63 to $9.83 [6]. Group 4: Analyst Expectations - For the year ending December 2026, analysts project a 7.7% year-over-year growth in EPS to $10.61 on a diluted basis, with a strong earnings surprise history [7]. - Among 18 analysts covering DGX, the consensus rating is "Moderate Buy," with nine "Strong Buy" ratings and nine "Holds" [7]. Group 5: Price Target and Analyst Ratings - The stock's configuration has become more bullish, with nine "Strong Buy" ratings, up from eight a month ago [8]. - Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes maintained an "Outperform" rating and raised the price target from $210 to $235, indicating a potential upside of 14.4% based on the Street-high target [8].