Quest Diagnostics vs Laboratory Corporation of America: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX)

Q3 202624 Jun – 8 Oct 2026

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Quest's strong Q3 met Medicare fee-cut risk

New tests and partnerships drive growth New York approved Quest's Haystack MRD cancer test in all 50 states, Attunio Health named Quest its national lab partner, and Q2 revenue rose 10.2% to $3.04B with raised 2026 guidance.
These new approvals and partnerships directly boosted Quest's business and investor confidence.
Medicare fee cuts threaten revenue CMS proposed cutting Medicare lab fees by up to 15% starting in 2027, which would directly hit Quest's roughly 11% of revenue from Medicare, creating a major overhang.
This regulatory risk could significantly reduce future profits and weighed on the stock.
New products and joint venture boost outlook Quest announced a $119 Apple Health app lab panel, plans an FDA-cleared Alzheimer's blood test, and expects its Corewell joint venture to add about $250M in 2026 revenue, with earnings estimates up 11.2% to $11.15 per share.
These initiatives expand Quest's offerings and revenue streams, supporting future growth.
Analysts split on valuation and margins Analysts raised their fair value estimate to $239.38, but UBS stayed Neutral on margin concerns, reflecting a balance between growth optimism and profitability worries.
This shows the market's mixed view on Quest's prospects, balancing positive growth with margin risks.

September 202619 Aug – 8 Oct 2026

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Medicare lab fee cuts hit Quest; new consumer and Alzheimer's tests offer growth

Medicare proposes up to 15% lab fee cuts CMS says Medicare overpays labs by 16% and proposes cutting lab fees up to 15% from 2027, saving taxpayers $1B a year. Quest gets about 11% of revenue from Medicare, so lower rates directly reduce its testing revenue and profit.
This is the main new force pushing DGX down this period.
Quest to sell lab tests through Apple Health app Quest will sell a $119 lab panel with over 50 biomarkers directly through Apple's Health app, with blood draws at its roughly 2,000 centers. This opens a new consumer sales channel, adding demand for tests outside doctor referrals.
A new growth channel that can lift future testing volume and revenue.
FDA clears Alzheimer's blood test Quest can offer The FDA cleared Roche and Lilly's Alzheimer's blood test, and Quest plans to offer it through its network. It is a simpler, cheaper alternative to PET scans, so it can bring more patients into Quest's labs for testing.
New test availability can increase demand for Quest's diagnostic services.
Corewell joint venture and rising profit estimates Quest's Corewell Health lab joint venture is expected to add about $250 million to 2026 revenue, and analysts raised their 2026 earnings estimate 11.2% to $11.15 a share. Physician and hospital testing volumes are growing, supporting the stock.
Shows underlying business growth and higher expected profits, a positive counterweight to the Medicare cut.

Latest19 Aug – 8 Oct 2026

▲3▼1

Medicare lab fee cuts hit Quest; new consumer and Alzheimer's tests offer growth

Medicare proposes up to 15% lab fee cuts CMS says Medicare overpays labs by 16% and proposes cutting lab fees up to 15% from 2027, saving taxpayers $1B a year. Quest gets about 11% of revenue from Medicare, so lower rates directly reduce its testing revenue and profit.
This is the main new force pushing DGX down this period.
Quest to sell lab tests through Apple Health app Quest will sell a $119 lab panel with over 50 biomarkers directly through Apple's Health app, with blood draws at its roughly 2,000 centers. This opens a new consumer sales channel, adding demand for tests outside doctor referrals.
A new growth channel that can lift future testing volume and revenue.
FDA clears Alzheimer's blood test Quest can offer The FDA cleared Roche and Lilly's Alzheimer's blood test, and Quest plans to offer it through its network. It is a simpler, cheaper alternative to PET scans, so it can bring more patients into Quest's labs for testing.
New test availability can increase demand for Quest's diagnostic services.
Corewell joint venture and rising profit estimates Quest's Corewell Health lab joint venture is expected to add about $250 million to 2026 revenue, and analysts raised their 2026 earnings estimate 11.2% to $11.15 a share. Physician and hospital testing volumes are growing, supporting the stock.
Shows underlying business growth and higher expected profits, a positive counterweight to the Medicare cut.

July 202624 Jun – 5 Aug 2026

▲4

Quest raises 2026 outlook on strong Q2 and new test approval

New York approval opens Haystack MRD to all 50 states New York State approved Quest's Haystack MRD liquid biopsy test, making it available in all 50 states. This regulatory win expands the market for a high-value cancer test, supporting future revenue growth and lifting DGX shares.
This is a new regulatory milestone that directly expands Quest's addressable market for a premium test.
Attunio Health picks Quest as national lab backbone Attunio Health selected Quest as its national lab partner for precision psychiatry, with at-home blood collection via Getlabs. This adds new test volume from a growing mental health platform, a modest but positive demand driver for DGX.
A new partnership that adds incremental testing volume and shows Quest winning new business.
Q2 beat and raised 2026 guidance boost outlook Quest reported Q2 revenue up 10.2% to $3.04B and adjusted EPS of $3.12, beating estimates, and raised full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance. Strong organic growth and a tax benefit drove the increase, signaling momentum.
The guidance raise and earnings beat are the core fundamental drivers of the stock's recent move.
Analysts raise fair value and price targets after Q2 Analysts lifted Quest's fair value estimate to $239.38 from $223.44, with price targets mostly $245–$265. The upgrades reflect the earnings beat and higher guidance, though UBS stayed Neutral on margin concerns, a mild counterweight.
Analyst upgrades following the earnings beat reinforce the positive sentiment and help explain the stock's rise.

24 Jun – 5 Aug 2026

▲4

Quest raises 2026 outlook on strong Q2 and new test approval

New York approval opens Haystack MRD to all 50 states New York State approved Quest's Haystack MRD liquid biopsy test, making it available in all 50 states. This regulatory win expands the market for a high-value cancer test, supporting future revenue growth and lifting DGX shares.
This is a new regulatory milestone that directly expands Quest's addressable market for a premium test.
Attunio Health picks Quest as national lab backbone Attunio Health selected Quest as its national lab partner for precision psychiatry, with at-home blood collection via Getlabs. This adds new test volume from a growing mental health platform, a modest but positive demand driver for DGX.
A new partnership that adds incremental testing volume and shows Quest winning new business.
Q2 beat and raised 2026 guidance boost outlook Quest reported Q2 revenue up 10.2% to $3.04B and adjusted EPS of $3.12, beating estimates, and raised full-year 2026 revenue and EPS guidance. Strong organic growth and a tax benefit drove the increase, signaling momentum.
The guidance raise and earnings beat are the core fundamental drivers of the stock's recent move.
Analysts raise fair value and price targets after Q2 Analysts lifted Quest's fair value estimate to $239.38 from $223.44, with price targets mostly $245–$265. The upgrades reflect the earnings beat and higher guidance, though UBS stayed Neutral on margin concerns, a mild counterweight.
Analyst upgrades following the earnings beat reinforce the positive sentiment and help explain the stock's rise.

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH)

Q3 202622 Jun – 22 Sep 2026

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Labcorp launches new tests, raises guidance, but Medicare fee cut proposal weighs

New product launches and Medicare coverage Labcorp launched ColoSense, the first FDA-approved at-home RNA colorectal cancer test, gained Medicare coverage for NASHnext, and introduced the first FDA-cleared Alzheimer's blood test. These expand its testing menu and open new revenue streams.
These launches are new in Q3 and show innovation driving growth.
Strong financial performance and raised guidance Labcorp beat Q2 estimates, raised its 2026 guidance, completed a large buyback, and set long-term revenue growth targets of 5%–8%. This signals confidence in its business and returns cash to shareholders.
These are new financial updates that positively influenced investor sentiment.
Proposed Medicare lab fee cuts CMS proposed cutting Medicare lab fees by up to 15% starting January 2027, citing overpayment versus private insurers. This sharply pressured Labcorp and Quest shares, raising concerns about future margins and revenue.
This is a new regulatory threat that negatively impacted the stock.
Reaffirmed outlook despite reimbursement pressure Labcorp reaffirmed its 2026–2029 outlook, saying it already assumed reimbursement pressure. However, the stock still fell about 3% in Q3, reflecting investor caution over potential margin and revenue risks.
This shows the counterweight: management confidence versus market skepticism.

September 202628 Aug – 22 Sep 2026

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New Alzheimer's Test and Growth Plan Meet Medicare Fee Cut Threat

First FDA-cleared single-biomarker Alzheimer's blood test Labcorp launched the first FDA-cleared single-biomarker Alzheimer's blood test, a simple blood draw that could replace costly PET scans. It also allied with the largest US primary care network to drive routine orders, supporting future test volume and revenue.
New product and partnership that can lift future demand and revenue.
Investor Day reaffirms 2026 guidance and sets 5%-8% growth target Labcorp reaffirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance above Wall Street estimates and set long-term targets of 5%-8% annual revenue growth and 8.5%-11.5% EPS growth through 2029. The plan includes margin expansion and AI/robotics, giving investors a clearer growth path.
Directly supports earnings expectations and long-term valuation.
CMS proposes up to 15% cut in Medicare lab fees CMS proposed cutting Medicare lab payments by up to 15% starting January 2027, saying Medicare pays 16% more than private insurers. Labcorp and Quest shares fell sharply. If finalized, this would lower reimbursement for routine tests and pressure revenue and margins.
A major regulatory threat that directly reduces future payments.
Labcorp says CMS cuts won't change 2026-2029 outlook Labcorp reaffirmed its 2026-2029 growth targets despite the proposed Medicare cuts, saying it already accounted for continued reimbursement pressure. It warned the cuts could hurt patient access and backs the RESULTS Act. The stock still fell about 3%, showing investors remain cautious.
Company response to the cut is key to whether the negative is already priced in.

Latest28 Aug – 22 Sep 2026

▲2▼1

New Alzheimer's Test and Growth Plan Meet Medicare Fee Cut Threat

First FDA-cleared single-biomarker Alzheimer's blood test Labcorp launched the first FDA-cleared single-biomarker Alzheimer's blood test, a simple blood draw that could replace costly PET scans. It also allied with the largest US primary care network to drive routine orders, supporting future test volume and revenue.
New product and partnership that can lift future demand and revenue.
Investor Day reaffirms 2026 guidance and sets 5%-8% growth target Labcorp reaffirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance above Wall Street estimates and set long-term targets of 5%-8% annual revenue growth and 8.5%-11.5% EPS growth through 2029. The plan includes margin expansion and AI/robotics, giving investors a clearer growth path.
Directly supports earnings expectations and long-term valuation.
CMS proposes up to 15% cut in Medicare lab fees CMS proposed cutting Medicare lab payments by up to 15% starting January 2027, saying Medicare pays 16% more than private insurers. Labcorp and Quest shares fell sharply. If finalized, this would lower reimbursement for routine tests and pressure revenue and margins.
A major regulatory threat that directly reduces future payments.
Labcorp says CMS cuts won't change 2026-2029 outlook Labcorp reaffirmed its 2026-2029 growth targets despite the proposed Medicare cuts, saying it already accounted for continued reimbursement pressure. It warned the cuts could hurt patient access and backs the RESULTS Act. The stock still fell about 3%, showing investors remain cautious.
Company response to the cut is key to whether the negative is already priced in.

July 202622 Jun – 12 Aug 2026

▲4

Labcorp's new tests and raised guidance drive positive outlook

New at-home colorectal cancer test Labcorp launched ColoSense, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test, now covered by Medicare. This expands its test menu and could add recurring revenue from a large screening market.
New product launch with Medicare coverage directly supports future revenue growth.
Medicare coverage for NASHnext liver test Medicare will cover and reimburse Labcorp's NASHnext blood test for liver disease starting August 2026, at about $252 per test. This should boost test volume and create a new recurring revenue stream.
New reimbursement approval expands market access and revenue potential.
Raised profit forecast on strong testing demand Labcorp beat Q2 estimates and raised its 2026 earnings and revenue guidance, driven by steady diagnostic testing and growth in drug-development services. This signals management confidence and supports a higher stock price.
Upgraded guidance and earnings beat are key positive catalysts for the stock.
Expanded oncology testing and buyback Labcorp launched the first FDA-approved PTEN companion diagnostic for prostate cancer and completed a large share buyback. These moves strengthen its precision oncology position and return cash to shareholders, supporting the stock.
New oncology test and buyback completion reinforce growth and shareholder value.

22 Jun – 12 Aug 2026

▲4

Labcorp's new tests and raised guidance drive positive outlook

New at-home colorectal cancer test Labcorp launched ColoSense, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test, now covered by Medicare. This expands its test menu and could add recurring revenue from a large screening market.
New product launch with Medicare coverage directly supports future revenue growth.
Medicare coverage for NASHnext liver test Medicare will cover and reimburse Labcorp's NASHnext blood test for liver disease starting August 2026, at about $252 per test. This should boost test volume and create a new recurring revenue stream.
New reimbursement approval expands market access and revenue potential.
Raised profit forecast on strong testing demand Labcorp beat Q2 estimates and raised its 2026 earnings and revenue guidance, driven by steady diagnostic testing and growth in drug-development services. This signals management confidence and supports a higher stock price.
Upgraded guidance and earnings beat are key positive catalysts for the stock.
Expanded oncology testing and buyback Labcorp launched the first FDA-approved PTEN companion diagnostic for prostate cancer and completed a large share buyback. These moves strengthen its precision oncology position and return cash to shareholders, supporting the stock.
New oncology test and buyback completion reinforce growth and shareholder value.