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Quest Diagnostics Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results; Raises Revenue and EPS Guidance for Full Year 2026

Quest Diagnostics (DGX)Quest DiagnosticsEarnings

Quest Diagnostics Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results; Raises Revenue and EPS Guidance for Full Year 2026

Third quarter revenues of $3.10 billion, up 10.0% from 2025, on strong organic revenue growth

Third quarter reported diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.78, up 28.7% from 2025; and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.00, up 15.4% from 2025

Full year 2026 revenues now expected to be between $12.065 billion and $12.105 billion

Full year 2026 reported diluted EPS now expected to be between $10.21 and $10.31; and adjusted diluted EPS expected to be between $11.25 and $11.35

, / PRNewswire / -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.

"We delivered revenue growth of 10% and adjusted EPS growth of over 15% on continued strength across our physician, hospital and consumer channels, complemented by productivity gains from automation and AI," said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President. "Our robust organic revenue growth demonstrates that our solutions are fulfilling the expanding clinical care needs of an aging population as well as the increasing number of people focused on prevention and wellness. With these growth trends and our strong performance, we are raising our revenue and EPS guidance for the full year."

Recent Highlights:

Announced the ability for iPhone and iPad users in the United States to conveniently purchase a tailored Quest laboratory test panel with over 50 biomarkers directly through the Apple Health app, available to the public later this year.

Finalized a definitive agreement to acquire select outreach lab assets from a leading health system and long-time Co-Lab Solutions customer in the Northeastern U.S. Continued to advance our Co-Lab Solutions implementation and joint venture lab with Corewell Health in Michigan.

Extended our AD-Detect® menu to include the FDA-cleared Roche Elecsys® Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma (pTau217) blood test and launched a new AD-Detect test panel with pTau217, amyloid beta and APOE to help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions for Alzheimer's disease.

Advanced Project Nova from the design phase to the solutions-build phase and continue to expect to deploy Epic solutions in our first lab in the fall of 2027.

The company will hold its 2027 Investor Day on March 25, 2027, at the New York Stock Exchange. Additional information will be provided closer to the event.

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
20262025Change20262025Change
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Reported:
Net revenues$ 3,097$ 2,81610.0 %$ 9,035$ 8,2299.8 %
Diagnostic Information Services revenues$ 3,035$ 2,75510.2 %$ 8,845$ 8,04310.0 %
Revenue per requisition(4.2) %(2.8) %
Requisition volume14.5 %12.9 %
Organic requisition volume14.4 %12.8 %
Operating income (a)$ 479$ 38624.2 %$ 1,337$ 1,17014.3 %
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (a)15.5 %13.7 %1.8 %14.8 %14.2 %0.6 %
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics (a)$ 312$ 24527.6 %$ 884$ 74718.4 %
Diluted EPS (a)$ 2.78$ 2.1628.7 %$ 7.86$ 6.5719.6 %
Cash provided by operations$ 611$ 5638.8 %$ 1,486$ 1,4214.6 %
Capital expenditures$ 166$ 14415.0 %$ 418$ 36913.2 %
Adjusted (a):
Operating income$ 517$ 45813.0 %$ 1,466$ 1,33010.3 %
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues16.7 %16.3 %0.4 %16.2 %16.2 %— %
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics$ 338$ 29614.2 %$ 969$ 84514.7 %
Diluted EPS$ 3.00$ 2.6015.4 %$ 8.62$ 7.4316.0 %

(a) For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to operating income, operating income as a percentage of net revenues, net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.

Updated Guidance for Full Year 2026

The company updates its full year 2026 guidance as follows:

Updated GuidancePrior Guidance
LowHighLowHigh
Net revenues$12.065 billion$12.105 billion$11.95 billion$12.05 billion
Net revenues increase9.3 %9.7 %8.3 %9.2 %
Reported diluted EPS$10.21$10.31$9.97$10.17
Adjusted diluted EPS$11.25$11.35$11.05$11.25
Cash provided by operationsApproximately $1.90 billionApproximately $1.80 billion
Capital expendituresApproximately $550 millionApproximately $550 million

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted" refers to non-GAAP operating performance measures that exclude special items such as restructuring and integration charges, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ("ETB") associated with stock-based compensation, gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments and other items.

Non-GAAP adjusted measures are presented because management believes those measures are useful adjuncts to GAAP results. Non-GAAP adjusted measures should not be considered as an alternative to the corresponding measures determined under GAAP. Management may use these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, to establish operational budgets and forecasts and for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and analysts to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business and to assess our performance. The additional tables attached below include reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted measures to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information

Quest Diagnostics will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss financial results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, passcode: 7895081; or via live webcast on our website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor . We suggest participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or, from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026 until midnight Eastern Time on November 5, 2026, by phone at 866-388-5361 for domestic callers or 203-369-0416 for international callers. Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read our periodic reports, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We help connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, our insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three adult Americans each year, and our nearly 60,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com .

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, the impact of the incident described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2026, uncertain and volatile economic conditions, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, the complexity of billing, reimbursement and revenue recognition for clinical laboratory testing, changes in government policies, including related to trade, and regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers or strategic partners, acquisitions and other factors discussed in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the company's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including those discussed in the "Business," "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of those reports.

This earnings release, including the attached financial tables, is available online in the Newsroom section at www.QuestDiagnostics.com .

ADDITIONAL TABLES FOLLOW

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2026202520262025
Net revenues$ 3,097$ 2,816$ 9,035$ 8,229
Operating costs and expenses and other operating income:
Cost of services2,0551,8676,0245,474
Selling, general and administrative5235011,5561,463
Amortization of intangible assets3739112117
Other operating expense, net32365
Total operating costs and expenses, net2,6182,4307,6987,059
Operating income4793861,3371,170
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net(61)(66)(187)(200)
Other (expense) income, net(2)81218
Total non-operating expense, net(63)(58)(175)(182)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method investees4163281,162988
Income tax expense(99)(77)(261)(233)
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes982335
Net income326259924790
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests14144043
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics$ 312$ 245$ 884$ 747
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:
Basic$ 2.82$ 2.18$ 7.97$ 6.66
Diluted$ 2.78$ 2.16$ 7.86$ 6.57
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic110112110112
Diluted112113112113
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)
September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$ 797$ 420
Accounts receivable, net1,7121,408
Inventories218189
Prepaid expenses and other current assets390361
Total current assets3,1172,378
Property, plant and equipment, net2,2752,203
Operating lease right-of-use assets670657
Goodwill9,1128,945
Intangible assets, net1,6341,636
Investments in equity method investees139136
Other assets274270
Total assets$ 17,221$ 16,225
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$ 1,643$ 1,600
Current portion of long-term debt10504
Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities181174
Total current liabilities1,8342,278
Long-term debt5,5405,167
Long-term operating lease liabilities554537
Other liabilities1,262957
Redeemable noncontrolling interest8180
Stockholders' equity:
Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 600 shares authorized as of both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025; 162 shares issued as of both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 202522
Additional paid-in capital2,3972,381
Retained earnings10,5939,994
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(66)(27)
Treasury stock, at cost; 52 shares as of both September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025(5,294)(5,180)
Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity7,6327,170
Noncontrolling interests31836
Total stockholders' equity7,9507,206
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$ 17,221$ 16,225
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 (in millions) (unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
20262025
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$ 924$ 790
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization440425
Provision for credit losses52
Deferred income tax expense155118
Stock-based compensation expense6363
Other, net2237
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(308)(153)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses244113
Income taxes payable(24)(1)
Other assets and liabilities, net(35)27
Net cash provided by operating activities1,4861,421
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired(39)(51)
Capital expenditures(418)(369)
Other investing activities, net2(20)
Net cash used in investing activities(455)(440)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings494410
Repayments of debt(504)(1,011)
Purchases of treasury stock(252)(150)
Exercise of stock options10861
Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based compensation plans(40)(44)
Dividends paid(279)(263)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners(35)(43)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest partners25—
Other financing activities, net(169)(61)
Net cash used in financing activities(652)(1,101)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash(2)3
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash377(117)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period420549
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period$ 797$ 432
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest$ 151$ 167
Income taxes$ 142$ 112

Notes to Financial Tables

1) The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2026202520262025
(in millions, except per share data)
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics$ 312$ 245$ 884$ 747
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities2244
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and diluted$ 310$ 243$ 880$ 743
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic110112110112
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and performance share units2121
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted112113112113
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:
Basic$ 2.82$ 2.18$ 7.97$ 6.66
Diluted$ 2.78$ 2.16$ 7.86$ 6.57

2) The following tables reconcile reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjusted results:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2026
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating incomeOperating income as a percentage of net revenuesIncome tax expense (e)Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxesNet income attributable to Quest DiagnosticsDiluted EPS
As reported$ 47915.5 %$ (99)$ 9$ 312$ 2.78
Restructuring and integration charges (a)30.1——30.02
Other charges (b)40.1——40.03
Gains and losses on investments (c)——(1)130.02
Other gains (d)(6)(0.2)1—(5)(0.04)
Amortization expense371.2(10)—270.24
ETB——(6)—(6)(0.05)
As adjusted$ 51716.7 %$ (115)$ 10$ 338$ 3.00
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating incomeOperating income as a percentage of net revenuesIncome tax expense (e)Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxesNet income attributable to Quest DiagnosticsDiluted EPS
As reported$ 1,33714.8 %$ (261)$ 23$ 884$ 7.86
Restructuring and integration charges (a)140.2(3)—110.10
Other charges (b)90.1——90.08
Gains and losses on investments (c)——(3)770.06
Other gains (d)(6)(0.1)1—(5)(0.04)
Amortization expense1121.2(29)—830.74
ETB——(20)—(20)(0.18)
As adjusted$ 1,46616.2 %$ (315)$ 30$ 969$ 8.62
Three Months Ended September 30, 2025
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating incomeOperating income as a percentage of net revenuesIncome tax expense (e)Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxesNet income attributable to Quest DiagnosticsDiluted EPS
As reported$ 38613.7 %$ (77)$ 8$ 245$ 2.16
Restructuring and integration charges (a)110.4(2)—90.07
Other charges (b)220.8(6)—160.15
Amortization expense391.4(10)—290.25
ETB——(3)—(3)(0.03)
As adjusted$ 45816.3 %$ (98)$ 8$ 296$ 2.60
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating incomeOperating income as a percentage of net revenuesIncome tax expense (e)Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxesNet income attributable to Quest DiagnosticsDiluted EPS
As reported$ 1,17014.2 %$ (233)$ 35$ 747$ 6.57
Restructuring and integration charges (a)370.5(9)—280.24
Other charges (b)520.6(12)—400.36
Gains and losses on investments (c)——1(1)(2)(0.01)
Other gains (d)(46)(0.5)14(8)(40)(0.36)
Amortization expense1171.4(30)—870.76
ETB——(15)—(15)(0.13)
As adjusted$ 1,33016.2 %$ (284)$ 26$ 845$ 7.43

(a) For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025, the pre-tax impact represents costs primarily associated with workforce reductions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of restructuring and integration charges on our consolidated statements of operations:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2026202520262025
(dollars in millions)
Cost of services$ 1$ 1$ 3$ 8
Selling, general and administrative2101129
Operating income$ 3$ 11$ 14$ 37
(b)The three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 include pre-tax losses associated with the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions, recorded in other operating expense, net. Additionally, both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 include a $15 million pre-tax charge to earnings related to legal matters, recorded in other operating expense, net. Also, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 include pre-tax impairment charges of $5 million and $29 million, respectively, on certain long-lived assets related to the exit of a business, also recorded in other operating expense, net.
(c)For all periods presented, the pre-tax impact represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, principally recorded in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes, and other (expense) income, net.
(d)Both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 primarily include $4 million of pre-tax gains, recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, related to insurance recoveries for certain legal matters. The nine months ended September 30, 2025 includes a $46 million pre-tax gain, recorded in other operating expense, net, from a payroll tax credit under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act associated with the retention of employees. Additionally, the nine months ended September 30, 2025 includes an $8 million pre-tax gain, recorded in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes, representing a non-recurring gain related to a lease.
(e)For restructuring and integration charges, other gains/charges, gains and losses on investments, and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of 25.5% for both 2026 and 2025. No income tax impact was recorded on losses associated with the change in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions.
3)The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the full year 2026 before the impact of special items. Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2026. Additionally, the amount of ETB is dependent upon employee stock option exercises and our stock price, which are difficult to predict. The following table reconciles our 2026 outlook for diluted EPS under GAAP to our outlook for adjusted diluted EPS:
LowHigh
Diluted EPS$ 10.21$ 10.31
Restructuring and integration charges (a)0.130.13
Amortization expense (b)0.990.99
Other charges (c)0.110.11
Gains and losses on investments (d)0.060.06
Other gains (e)(0.04)(0.04)
ETB(0.21)(0.21)
Adjusted diluted EPS$ 11.25$ 11.35
(a)Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $20 million primarily associated with workforce reductions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. Income tax benefits were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.
(b)Represents estimated pre-tax amortization expenses of $149 million. Income tax benefits were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.
(c)Principally represents estimated pre-tax net losses of $9 million associated with the increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions. Such estimate is subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in the "Forward Looking Statements" section above. No income tax benefits are recorded on the changes associated with the contingent consideration accrual.
(d)Represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments. Income tax impacts were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.
(e)Principally represents a pre-tax gain related to insurance recoveries for certain legal matters. Income tax impacts were primarily calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

For further information: Wendy Bost, Quest Diagnostics (Media): 973-520-2800, Damini Chokshi, Quest Diagnostics (Investors): 973-520-2900

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Quest Diagnostics

Diagnostic Information Services Leader Quest Diagnostics provides laboratory testing and diagnostic insights to physicians, hospitals, consumers, and population-health partners. Its core value lies in converting testing data into information that supports disease detection, treatment decisions, and health management. Consumer Access...

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243.28 USD
Market cap
21.38B USD
Exchange
NYSE
Sector
MedTech
Location
Secaucus, New Jersey