Quest Diagnostics Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has announced the appointment of Jim Davis as CEO and President, succeeding Steve Rusckowski, who remains as Chairman until March 2023. This transition, initiated on February 3, 2022, aims to strengthen leadership following Rusckowski's decade-long service. Davis, who joined Quest in 2013, has led the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized a focus on growth, operational excellence, and advancing diagnostics to improve health outcomes.

Quest Diagnostics partners with Saint Louis University to launch an accelerated bachelor's degree program in medical laboratory science. This 16-month program aims to address the critical shortage of medical laboratory scientists, essential for performing diagnostic tests that inform patient diagnoses and treatments. Currently, the U.S. lacks enough graduates to meet the projected demand of 12,600 new jobs in this field by 2030. The collaboration ensures hands-on training and a potential 100% job placement rate for graduates, highlighting the urgent need for skilled professionals.

Bread of Life, Inc. has launched the Healthy Houston Collective program with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, targeting healthcare disparities in Houston. The initiative aims to support over 9,000 individuals in underserved communities, backed by a $3.8 million grant. Key program areas include the Community Care Program, health careers training, and collaborations with Federally Qualified Health Centers. The goal is to provide accessible healthcare services, education, and job opportunities while battling health inequities in the region.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has partnered with Sesame Workshop to launch a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing health inequities among young children, particularly in low-income and marginalized communities. This program seeks to address the impact of the pandemic on children's healthcare by providing English and Spanish resources to support parents and healthcare providers. Notably, research indicates that children from lower-income households are more likely to miss routine health check-ups. The initiative promotes a 'healthy team' approach, fostering partnerships that empower families and enhance children's overall well-being.

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) reported third quarter revenues of $2.49 billion, down 10.4% from 2021. Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $2.17, a decline of 46.0%, while adjusted diluted EPS was $2.36, down 40.4%. Base business revenues increased by 5.1% to $2.17 billion. The company raised full-year 2022 EPS guidance to a range of $8.52 to $8.72 and adjusted EPS to $9.75 to $9.95. CEO-elect Jim Davis emphasized growth in the base business despite challenges, including Hurricane Ian.

Decode Health announced a new collaboration phase with Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) to advance drug and diagnostics research in metabolic disease and autoimmune neurology. This phase will focus on RNA sequencing and specimen collection through Quest's extensive network, including 2,100 patient service centers. The partnership aims to enhance biomarker discovery, crucial for developing novel diagnostic tests and drug therapies. The initial targets include multiple sclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with plans for future expansion into other clinical areas.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) launched a new campaign, "Put Your ___ To The Test," encouraging consumers to take charge of their health with over 50 lab tests available online without requiring a doctor's visit. This campaign, developed by R/GA, highlights the ease of accessing high-quality tests. Quest aims to educate consumers on the value of lab testing, offering categories such as general wellness and sexual health. The campaign will utilize digital media and TV advertisements throughout 2023, aiming to transform Quest into an emerging lifestyle brand.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) announced significant leadership changes to support its strategy for growth and operational excellence. CEO-Elect Jim Davis appointed Karthik Kuppusamy as Senior VP of Clinical Solutions, Mark Gardner as Senior VP of Molecular Genomics and Oncology, and Kristin Wallace as Senior VP of Compliance. These seasoned executives are expected to bolster the company’s innovation and compliance leadership post-pandemic. The appointments reflect Quest's commitment to enhancing its market position in diagnostic services.

A Quest Diagnostics study reveals that cancer diagnoses, particularly breast and prostate cancers, remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with a nearly 30% decline observed in early 2020. The analysis of over 1.1 million test results indicates that undiagnosed cancer cases have risen since the pandemic, leading to potential adverse outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Key findings include an 11% decline in diagnoses from April 2021 to March 2022, with breast and prostate cancer diagnoses still down by 11% and 17%, respectively. The study underscores the importance of routine screenings to mitigate rising health risks.