Core Viewpoint - Quest Diagnostics has shown a positive performance with an 8.2% increase in shares since the last earnings report, outperforming the S&P 500, raising questions about the sustainability of this trend leading up to the next earnings release [1] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Quest Diagnostics reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.62, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9% and up 11.5% from the previous year [2] - GAAP earnings were $2.47 per share, reflecting a 21.7% increase year-over-year [3] - Revenues for Q2 rose 15.2% year-over-year to $2.76 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.5% [4] - Diagnostic Information Services revenues increased by 15.7% year-over-year to $2.70 billion, exceeding projections [4] - Volumes measured by requisitions increased by 16.3% year-over-year, while revenue per requisition decreased by 0.4% [5] Margin Analysis - The cost of services was $1.82 billion, up 14.1% year-over-year, with gross profit at $943 million, up 17.3% [6] - Gross margin improved to 34.2%, an increase of 61 basis points [6] - SG&A expenses rose to $486 million, up 16.8% from the previous year, with an adjusted operating margin of 14.6%, representing a 37 basis points expansion [6] Financial Position - At the end of Q2 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $319 million, up from $188 million at the end of Q1 [7] - Cumulative net cash from operating activities was $858 million, compared to $514 million in the same period last year [7] - The company has a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 7.31% [7] 2025 Guidance - Quest Diagnostics updated its full-year 2025 revenue outlook to a range of $10.80 billion to $10.92 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 9.4% to 10.6% [8] - Adjusted earnings per share guidance was revised to a range of $9.63 to $9.83 [8] Estimate Trends - Estimates for the company have trended downward over the past month, indicating a potential shift in market expectations [10][12] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [12] VGM Scores - Quest Diagnostics has a Growth Score of B, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of B, resulting in an aggregate VGM Score of B [11]