Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Quest Diagnostics (DGX): Tops Q4 Earnings, Sales in Line

Read MoreHide Full Article

If you are a frequent customer of commercial laboratory testing services in North America, you probably have been offered one or more diagnostic products of one of its leading providers– Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX - Free Report) . Apart from the U.S., this company provides its laboratory services in several international markets including parts of India, England, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Currently, Quest Diagnostics has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) but that could change following its strong fourth quarter 2016 earnings report which has just released. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. We have highlighted some of the key details from the just-released announcement below:

Earnings: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter is  $1.27 per share, over the last 30 days. Quest Diagnostics’ adjusted earnings of $1.31 per share beat this estimate by 3.1%.

Full year adjusted earnings came in at $5.15 per share which also beats the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.10.

Revenues: Quest Diagnostics posted revenues of $1.86 billion, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues of $1.88 billion.

Full year revenues came in at $7.51 billion which is also in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Key Stats: Quest Diagnostics’ volume, measured by the number of requisitions, increased 1.5% versus the prior year’s volume. Notably, revenue per requisition increased 0.4% on a year-over-year basis.

Major Factors: Per management, Quest Diagnostics delivered impressive results in the fourth quarter. The company’s expanding relationships came from hospital health systems and strength in several of our advanced diagnostic offerings. The guidance for full year 2017 reflects expectations for continued acceleration of top-line growth and is consistent with the earnings outlook we provided at our Investor Day in November.

Stock Price: Following the earnings release, share prices did not show any movement in the pre-market trading session.

Check back later for our full write up on this Quest Diagnostics earnings report later!

The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search

Today, you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>


 


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) - free report >>

Published in