Quest Diagnostics Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Raises Guidance for Full Year 2024
- Quest Diagnostics showed strong base business revenue growth of nearly 6% in the first quarter.
- Total revenues grew for the first time since the pandemic peak three years ago.
- Investments in advanced diagnostics led to double-digit growth in key clinical areas like brain health and women's health.
- The Invigorate initiative focusing on automation and AI improved productivity and service quality.
- Net revenues for the first quarter were $2.37 billion, up 1.5% from the previous year.
- Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.04, remaining flat compared to 2023.
- Cash provided by operations increased significantly by 64.8% to $154 million.
- Capital expenditures decreased by 18.2% to $104 million.
- Quest Diagnostics updated its full-year 2024 guidance with net revenues expected to be between $9.40 billion and $9.48 billion.
- Adjusted diluted EPS guidance increased to a range of $8.72 to $8.97.
- The company uses non-GAAP adjusted measures to provide additional insights into its financial performance.
- None.
Insights
Quest Diagnostics' quarterly financial report exhibits a modest revenue growth of 1.5% year-over-year, indicating a stable demand for their diagnostic services. Notably, this is the first revenue uptick since the pandemic's peak, suggesting a recovery phase for the industry. Although the reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) dipped by 3.4%, the adjusted EPS remained constant, highlighting effective cost management strategies despite potential margin pressures.
The company's operation cash flow surged by 64.8%, reflecting stronger cash generation capabilities, which could mean improved financial flexibility for Quest. However, a reduction in capital expenditures by 18.2% raises questions about long-term growth investments. Investors should consider the balance between current profitability and future expansion plans, as excessive cost-cutting can hinder growth prospects.
Raising the full-year guidance for revenues and adjusted EPS implies confidence in sustained performance. This outlook could be a positive signal for investors, advocating a stable investment environment in the healthcare diagnostics sector. Yet, the conservative increase in net revenue projections (1.6% to 2.5% increase) warrants a cautious optimism, aligning with broader healthcare spending trends.
Quest Diagnostics' emphasis on base business revenue growth and expansion in key clinical areas such as brain and women's health reflects the industry's shift towards specialized diagnostics. The strong performance in these areas, achieving double-digit growth, mirrors the rising demand for personalized medicine which is becoming a driving force in healthcare.
Their 'Invigorate' initiative underscores a trend towards automation and AI in healthcare, aiming to enhance productivity and service quality. Such investments could lead to long-term cost savings and operational efficiencies, beneficial to both the company and its stakeholders. As healthcare providers increasingly adopt technology to improve efficiency, Quest's advancements may offer a competitive edge, potentially capitalizing on industry growth.
Exploring the depth of Quest's Invigorate initiative, which infuses AI and automation in diagnostics, suggests a forward-thinking approach to healthcare delivery. Automation in diagnostics can lead to faster turnaround times and improved accuracy, directly impacting patient care quality. Growth in advanced diagnostic areas can also indicate a strategic alignment with emerging health concerns and market needs, potentially opening new revenue streams for Quest.
For investors, the alignment with market trends towards disease prevention and management through advanced diagnostics may imply a resilient business model. However, it's important to monitor how Quest's technological investments play out in terms of market share and customer acquisition, particularly in a landscape with growing competitive pressures.
- First quarter revenues of
$2.37 billion 1.5% from 2023 - First quarter reported diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of
$1.72 3.4% from 2023; and adjusted diluted EPS of$2.04 - Full year 2024 revenues now expected to be between
$9.40 billion $9.48 billion $7.57 $7.82 $8.72 $8.97
"In the first quarter, we delivered nearly
"In addition, our Invigorate initiative, which includes ongoing investments in automation and AI, continued to improve productivity as well as service levels and quality. Given the strength of our business, we are raising our revenue and adjusted earnings guidance for the full year," Mr. Davis said.
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | |||
(dollars in millions, except per share data) | |||||
Reported: | |||||
Net revenues | $ 2,366 | $ 2,331 | 1.5 % | ||
Diagnostic Information Services revenues | $ 2,298 | $ 2,259 | 1.7 % | ||
Revenue per requisition | 0.1 % | ||||
Requisition volume | 1.6 % | ||||
Organic requisition volume | 1.0 % | ||||
Operating income (a) | $ 300 | $ 305 | (1.7) % | ||
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (a) | 12.7 % | 13.1 % | (0.4) % | ||
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics (a) | $ 194 | $ 202 | (3.9) % | ||
Diluted EPS (a) | $ 1.72 | $ 1.78 | (3.4) % | ||
Cash provided by operations | $ 154 | $ 94 | 64.8 % | ||
Capital expenditures | $ 104 | $ 127 | (18.2) % | ||
Adjusted (a): | |||||
Operating income | $ 349 | $ 350 | (0.2) % | ||
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues | 14.8 % | 15.0 % | (0.2) % | ||
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics | $ 230 | $ 232 | (1.1) % | ||
Diluted EPS | $ 2.04 | $ 2.04 | — % | ||
(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 2024
The company updates its full year 2024 guidance as follows:
Updated Guidance | Prior Guidance | ||||||
Low | High | Low | High | ||||
Net revenues | |||||||
Net revenues increase | 1.6 % | 2.5 % | 1.1 % | 2.1 % | |||
Reported diluted EPS | |||||||
Adjusted diluted EPS | |||||||
Cash provided by operations | Approximately | Approximately | |||||
Capital expenditures | Approximately | Approximately | |||||
Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures
As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in
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
A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or, from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2024 until midnight Eastern Time on May 7, 2024, by phone at 866-363-1809 for domestic callers or 203-369-0197 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 the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of deidentified clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in
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, 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 regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers or strategic partners 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 Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Net revenues | $ 2,366 | $ 2,331 | |
Operating costs and expenses and other operating income: | |||
Cost of services | 1,595 | 1,560 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 440 | 439 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | 29 | 26 | |
Other operating expense, net | 2 | 1 | |
Total operating costs and expenses, net | 2,066 | 2,026 | |
Operating income | 300 | 305 | |
Other income (expense): | |||
Interest expense, net | (43) | (35) | |
Other income, net | 9 | 7 | |
Total non-operating expense, net | (34) | (28) | |
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method investees | 266 | 277 | |
Income tax expense | (66) | (65) | |
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes | 8 | 5 | |
Net income | 208 | 217 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 14 | 15 | |
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics | $ 194 | $ 202 | |
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders: | |||
Basic | $ 1.74 | $ 1.80 | |
Diluted | $ 1.72 | $ 1.78 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||
Basic | 111 | 112 | |
Diluted | 112 | 113 | |
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited) | |||
March 31, | December 31, | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 474 | $ 686 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 1,322 | 1,210 | |
Inventories | 181 | 190 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 251 | 286 | |
Total current assets | 2,228 | 2,372 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,810 | 1,816 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 579 | 602 | |
Goodwill | 7,830 | 7,733 | |
Intangible assets, net | 1,192 | 1,166 | |
Investments in equity method investees | 133 | 135 | |
Other assets | 182 | 198 | |
Total assets | $ 13,954 | $ 14,022 | |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 1,239 | $ 1,359 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | 906 | 303 | |
Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities | 153 | 153 | |
Total current liabilities | 2,298 | 1,815 | |
Long-term debt | 3,804 | 4,410 | |
Long-term operating lease liabilities | 489 | 503 | |
Other liabilities | 817 | 876 | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 77 | 76 | |
Stockholders' equity: | |||
Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity: | |||
Common stock, par value | 2 | 2 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 2,292 | 2,320 | |
Retained earnings | 8,935 | 8,825 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (16) | (14) | |
Treasury stock, at cost; 51 shares as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | (4,781) | (4,826) | |
Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity | 6,432 | 6,307 | |
Noncontrolling interests | 37 | 35 | |
Total stockholders' equity | 6,469 | 6,342 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 13,954 | $ 14,022 | |
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions) (unaudited) | |||
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||
Net income | $ 208 | $ 217 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 116 | 107 | |
Provision (credit) for credit losses | 1 | (1) | |
Deferred income tax benefit | (18) | (4) | |
Stock-based compensation expense | 22 | 24 | |
Other, net | 11 | 3 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||
Accounts receivable | (114) | (58) | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (152) | (211) | |
Income taxes payable | 42 | 11 | |
Other assets and liabilities, net | 38 | 6 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 154 | 94 | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (142) | (31) | |
Capital expenditures | (104) | (127) | |
Other investing activities | 33 | — | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (213) | (158) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||
Proceeds from borrowings | — | 140 | |
Repayments of debt | — | (140) | |
Exercise of stock options | 12 | 25 | |
Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based compensation plans | (23) | (28) | |
Dividends paid | (79) | (74) | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners | (11) | (14) | |
Other financing activities, net | (52) | 15 | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (153) | (76) | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (212) | (140) | |
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 686 | 315 | |
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ 474 | $ 175 | |
Cash paid during the period for: | |||
Interest | $ 44 | $ 32 | |
Income taxes | $ 3 | $ 33 | |
Notes to Financial Tables |
1) The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows: |
Three Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
(in millions, except per | |||
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders: | |||
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics | $ 194 | $ 202 | |
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities | 1 | 1 | |
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and diluted | $ 193 | $ 201 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 111 | 112 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | |||
Stock options and performance share units | 1 | 1 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 112 | 113 | |
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders: | |||
Basic | $ 1.74 | $ 1.80 | |
Diluted | $ 1.72 | $ 1.78 | |
2) The following tables reconcile reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjusted results: |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||
Operating income | Operating | Income tax expense (d) | Equity in | Net income | Diluted EPS | ||||||
As reported | $ 300 | 12.7 % | $ (66) | $ 8 | $ 194 | $ 1.72 | |||||
Restructuring and | 17 | 0.7 | (4) | — | 13 | 0.12 | |||||
Other (b) | 3 | 0.2 | — | — | 3 | 0.03 | |||||
Amortization expense | 29 | 1.2 | (7) | — | 22 | 0.19 | |||||
ETB | — | — | (2) | — | (2) | (0.02) | |||||
As adjusted | $ 349 | 14.8 % | $ (79) | $ 8 | $ 230 | $ 2.04 | |||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||
Operating income | Operating | Income tax expense (d) | Equity in | Net income | Diluted EPS | ||||||
As reported | $ 305 | 13.1 % | $ (65) | $ 5 | $ 202 | $ 1.78 | |||||
Restructuring and integration charges (a) | 19 | 0.8 | (5) | — | 14 | 0.12 | |||||
Gains and losses on investments (c) | — | — | (1) | 3 | 2 | 0.02 | |||||
Amortization expense | 26 | 1.1 | (7) | — | 19 | 0.17 | |||||
ETB | — | — | (5) | — | (5) | (0.05) | |||||
As adjusted | $ 350 | 15.0 % | $ (83) | $ 8 | $ 232 | $ 2.04 | |||||
(a) | For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 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 | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
(dollars in millions) | |||
Cost of services | $ 13 | $ 10 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 4 | 9 | |
Operating income | $ 17 | $ 19 | |
(b) | For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the pre-tax impact represents a loss associated with the increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration accrual associated with previous acquisitions, recorded in other operating expense, net. |
(c) | For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the pre-tax impact represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, recorded in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes. |
(d) | For restructuring and integration charges, gains and losses on investments, other items and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of |
3) | The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the full year 2024 before the impact of special items. Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2024. 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 2024 outlook for diluted EPS under GAAP to our outlook for adjusted diluted EPS: |
Low | High | ||
Diluted EPS | $ 7.57 | $ 7.82 | |
Restructuring and integration charges (a) | 0.25 | 0.25 | |
Amortization expense (b) | 0.82 | 0.82 | |
Other (c) | 0.12 | 0.12 | |
ETB | (0.04) | (0.04) | |
Adjusted diluted EPS | $ 8.72 | $ 8.97 |
(a) | Represents estimated pre-tax charges of |
(b) | Represents estimated pre-tax amortization expenses of |
(c) | Represents estimated pre-tax losses of |
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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
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