EX-Dividend Schedule: Quest Diagnostics Has Raised its Dividend for 6 Consecutive Years; Will Trade Ex-Dividend on January 08, 2018

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / January 04, 2018 / Active-Investors has a free review on Quest Diagnostics Inc. (NYSE: DGX) following the Company’s announcement that it will begin trading ex-dividend on January 08, 2018. To capture the dividend payout, investors must purchase the stock a day prior to the ex-dividend date (excluding weekend) that is by latest at the end of the trading session on January 05, 2018. Active-Investors has initiated due-diligence on this dividend stock. Register with us for more free research including the one on DGX:

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Dividend Declared

On November 29, 2017, Quest Diagnostics announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share, payable on January 24, 2018, to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics’ common stock on January 09, 2018.

Quest Diagnostics’ indicated dividend represents a yield of 1.83%, which is more than double the average dividend yield of 0.637% for the Healthcare sector. The Company has raised dividend for six consecutive years.

Dividend Insights

Quest Diagnostics has a dividend payout ratio of 31.9%, which means that the Company spends approximately $0.32 for dividend distribution out of every $1.00 earned. The dividend payout ratio reflects how much amount a company is returning to shareholders versus how much money it is keeping on hand to reinvest in growth, to pay off debt, and/or to add to its cash reserves.

According to analysts’ estimates, Quest Diagnostics is forecasted to report earnings of $5.77 per share for the next year, which is more than triple compared to the Company’s annualized dividend of $1.80 per share.

As of September 30, 2017, Quest Diagnostics’ cash and cash equivalents totaled $350 million compared to $359 million as on December 31, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities totaled $557 million versus $529 million for the year ago same period. The Company’s strong financial position indicates its ability to absorb any fluctuations in earnings and cash flow and to sustain the dividend distribution for a long period.

Recent Development for Quest Diagnostics

On December 12, 2017, Quest Diagnostics announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of the Shiel Medical Laboratory business from Fresenius Medical Care.

Quest Diagnostics’ clinical laboratory in Teterboro, New Jersey will now provide services previously provided by Shiel in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. Patients and providers will benefit from direct access to Quest Diagnostics’ broader test menu and its expansive network of patient service centers in the region.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services. The Company provides diagnostic testing information and services in the United States and internationally. Quest Diagnostics was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Madison, New Jersey.

Stock Performance Snapshot

January 03, 2018 – At Wednesday’s closing bell, Quest Diagnostics’ stock was slightly up 0.35%, ending the trading session at $99.25.

Volume traded for the day: 855.15 thousand shares.

Stock performance in the last month – up 0.04%; previous three-month period – up 6.85%; past twelve-month period – up 7.36%; and year-to-date – up 0.77%

After yesterday’s close, Quest Diagnostics’ market cap was at $13.62 billion.

Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 20.68.

The stock has a dividend yield of 1.81%.

The stock is part of the Healthcare sector, categorized under the Medical Laboratories & Research industry. This sector was up 0.8% at the end of the session.

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