Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Investor Relations
  • Journalists
  • Agencies
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
Search
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News Releases view all

    • News in Focus
        • Browse News Releases

        • All News Releases
        • All Public Company
        • English-only
        • News Releases Overview

        • Multimedia Gallery

        • All Multimedia
        • All Photos
        • All Videos
        • Multimedia Gallery Overview

        • Trending Topics

        • All Trending Topics
    • Business & Money
        • Auto & Transportation

        • Aerospace, Defense
        • Air Freight
        • Airlines & Aviation
        • Automotive
        • Maritime & Shipbuilding
        • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
        • Supply Chain/Logistics
        • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
        • Travel
        • Trucking and Road Transportation
        • Auto & Transportation Overview

        • View All Auto & Transportation

        • Business Technology

        • Blockchain
        • Broadcast Tech
        • Computer & Electronics
        • Computer Hardware
        • Computer Software
        • Data Analytics
        • Electronic Commerce
        • Electronic Components
        • Electronic Design Automation
        • Financial Technology
        • High Tech Security
        • Internet Technology
        • Nanotechnology
        • Networks
        • Peripherals
        • Semiconductors
        • Business Technology Overview

        • View All Business Technology

        • Entertain­ment & Media

        • Advertising
        • Art
        • Books
        • Entertainment
        • Film and Motion Picture
        • Magazines
        • Music
        • Publishing & Information Services
        • Radio & Podcast
        • Television
        • Entertainment & Media Overview

        • View All Entertain­ment & Media

        • Financial Services & Investing

        • Accounting News & Issues
        • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
        • Banking & Financial Services
        • Bankruptcy
        • Bond & Stock Ratings
        • Conference Call Announcements
        • Contracts
        • Cryptocurrency
        • Dividends
        • Earnings
        • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
        • Financing Agreements
        • Insurance
        • Investments Opinions
        • Joint Ventures
        • Mutual Funds
        • Private Placement
        • Real Estate
        • Restructuring & Recapitalization
        • Sales Reports
        • Shareholder Activism
        • Shareholder Meetings
        • Stock Offering
        • Stock Split
        • Venture Capital
        • Financial Services & Investing Overview

        • View All Financial Services & Investing

        • General Business

        • Awards
        • Commercial Real Estate
        • Corporate Expansion
        • Earnings
        • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
        • Human Resource & Workforce Management
        • Licensing
        • New Products & Services
        • Obituaries
        • Outsourcing Businesses
        • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
        • Personnel Announcements
        • Real Estate Transactions
        • Residential Real Estate
        • Small Business Services
        • Socially Responsible Investing
        • Surveys, Polls and Research
        • Trade Show News
        • General Business Overview

        • View All General Business

    • Science & Tech
        • Consumer Technology

        • Artificial Intelligence
        • Blockchain
        • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
        • Computer Electronics
        • Computer Hardware
        • Computer Software
        • Consumer Electronics
        • Cryptocurrency
        • Data Analytics
        • Electronic Commerce
        • Electronic Gaming
        • Financial Technology
        • Mobile Entertainment
        • Multimedia & Internet
        • Peripherals
        • Social Media
        • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
        • Supply Chain/Logistics
        • Wireless Communications
        • Consumer Technology Overview

        • View All Consumer Technology

        • Energy & Natural Resources

        • Alternative Energies
        • Chemical
        • Electrical Utilities
        • Gas
        • General Manufacturing
        • Mining
        • Mining & Metals
        • Oil & Energy
        • Oil and Gas Discoveries
        • Utilities
        • Water Utilities
        • Energy & Natural Resources Overview

        • View All Energy & Natural Resources

        • Environ­ment

        • Conservation & Recycling
        • Environmental Issues
        • Environmental Policy
        • Environmental Products & Services
        • Green Technology
        • Natural Disasters
        • Environment Overview

        • View All Environ­ment

        • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

        • Aerospace & Defense
        • Agriculture
        • Chemical
        • Construction & Building
        • General Manufacturing
        • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
        • Machinery
        • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
        • Mining
        • Mining & Metals
        • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
        • Precious Metals
        • Textiles
        • Tobacco
        • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing Overview

        • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

        • Telecomm­unications

        • Carriers and Services
        • Mobile Entertainment
        • Networks
        • Peripherals
        • Telecommunications Equipment
        • Telecommunications Industry
        • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
        • Wireless Communications
        • Telecommunications Overview

        • View All Telecomm­unications

    • Lifestyle & Health
        • Consumer Products & Retail

        • Animals & Pets
        • Beers, Wines and Spirits
        • Beverages
        • Bridal Services
        • Cannabis
        • Cosmetics and Personal Care
        • Fashion
        • Food & Beverages
        • Furniture and Furnishings
        • Home Improvement
        • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
        • Household Products
        • Jewelry
        • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
        • Office Products
        • Organic Food
        • Product Recalls
        • Restaurants
        • Retail
        • Supermarkets
        • Toys
        • Consumer Products & Retail Overview

        • View All Consumer Products & Retail

        • Entertain­ment & Media

        • Advertising
        • Art
        • Books
        • Entertainment
        • Film and Motion Picture
        • Magazines
        • Music
        • Publishing & Information Services
        • Radio & Podcast
        • Television
        • Entertainment & Media Overview

        • View All Entertain­ment & Media

        • Health

        • Biometrics
        • Biotechnology
        • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
        • Dentistry
        • FDA Approval
        • Fitness/Wellness
        • Health Care & Hospitals
        • Health Insurance
        • Infection Control
        • International Medical Approval
        • Medical Equipment
        • Medical Pharmaceuticals
        • Mental Health
        • Pharmaceuticals
        • Supplementary Medicine
        • Health Overview

        • View All Health

        • Sports

        • General Sports
        • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
        • Sporting Events
        • Sports Equipment & Accessories
        • Sports Overview

        • View All Sports

        • Travel

        • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
        • Gambling & Casinos
        • Hotels and Resorts
        • Leisure & Tourism
        • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
        • Passenger Aviation
        • Travel Industry
        • Travel Overview

        • View All Travel

    • Policy & Public Interest
        • Policy & Public Interest

        • Advocacy Group Opinion
        • Animal Welfare
        • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
        • Corporate Social Responsibility
        • Domestic Policy
        • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
        • Education
        • Environmental
        • European Government
        • FDA Approval
        • Federal and State Legislation
        • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
        • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
        • Homeland Security
        • Labor & Union
        • Legal Issues
        • Natural Disasters
        • Not For Profit
        • Patent Law
        • Public Safety
        • Trade Policy
        • U.S. State Policy
        • Policy & Public Interest Overview

        • View All Policy & Public Interest

    • People & Culture
        • People & Culture

        • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
        • African American
        • Asian American
        • Children
        • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
        • Hispanic
        • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
        • Men's Interest
        • People with Disabilities
        • Religion
        • Senior Citizens
        • Veterans
        • Women
        • People & Culture Overview

        • View All People & Culture

    • Explore Our Platform
    • Plan Campaigns
    • Create with AI
    • Distribute Press Releases
    • Report Results
    • Amplify Content
    • All Products
    • General Inquiries
    • Editorial Bureaus
    • Partnerships
    • Media Inquiries
    • Worldwide Offices
    • Hamburger menu
    • PR Newswire: news distribution, targeting and monitoring
    • Send a Release
      • ALL CONTACT INFO
      • Contact Us

        888-776-0942
        from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

    • Searching for your content...

      No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.

      News Releases

      view all
      Close menu
    • News
    • Products
    • Contact
      • Send a Release
      • Client Login
      • Resources
      • Blog
      • Journalists
      • RSS
      • 3 News in Focus
      • 5 Business & Money
      • 5 Science & Tech
      • 5 Lifestyle & Health
      • 1 Policy & Public Interest
      • 1 People & Culture
      • Send a Release
      • Client Login
      • Resources
      • Blog
      • Journalists
      • RSS
      • Explore Our Platform
      • Plan Campaigns
      • Create with AI
      • Distribute Press Releases
      • Report Results
      • Amplify Content
      • All Products
      • Send a Release
      • Client Login
      • Resources
      • Blog
      • Journalists
      • RSS
      • General Inquiries
      • Editorial Bureaus
      • Partnerships
      • Media Inquiries
      • Worldwide Offices
      • Send a Release
      • Client Login
      • Resources
      • Blog
      • Journalists
      • RSS
      Close submenu (News in Focus) News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery
      • Trending Topics
      Close submenu (Business & Money) Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation
      • Business Technology
      • Entertain­ment & Media
      • Financial Services & Investing
      • General Business
      Close submenu (Science & Tech) Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology
      • Energy & Natural Resources
      • Environ­ment
      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
      • Telecomm­unications
      Close submenu (Lifestyle & Health) Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail
      • Entertain­ment & Media
      • Health
      • Sports
      • Travel
      Close submenu (Policy & Public Interest) Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest
      Close submenu (People & Culture) People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      Quest Diagnostics Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2020 Financial Results; Establishes Outlook For First Half Of 2021

      - Fourth quarter revenues of $3.0 billion, up 55.8% versus 2019

      - Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ("EPS") of $4.21, up 126.9% from 2019; and adjusted diluted EPS of $4.48, up 167.7% from 2019

      - Full year revenues of $9.44 billion, up 22.1% from 2019

      - Full year diluted EPS of $10.47, up 70.8% from 2019; and adjusted diluted EPS of $11.18, up 70.4% from 2019

      - Full year cash provided by operations of $2.0 billion, up 61.3% from 2019

      Quest Diagnostics Incorporated logo. (PRNewsFoto/Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)

      News provided by

      Quest Diagnostics

      Feb 04, 2021, 06:45 ET

      Share this article

      Share this article


      SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.

      "In a year dominated by the pandemic, Quest brought critical COVID-19 testing to our country, and delivered record revenues, earnings and cash from operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2020," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, CEO and President. "Declines in our base business recovered rapidly throughout the summer and fall; however the recovery stalled at the end of November and into December due to the surge in COVID-19 infections across the country. Continued high demand for COVID-19 testing drove our performance through the second half of the year.

      "In light of the company's strong financial position, we have increased our dividend and our share repurchase authorization while maintaining flexibility to pursue our M&A strategy," Mr. Rusckowski continued. "Given the ongoing uncertainty regarding the trajectory of the virus and its impact on COVID-19 testing trends as well as further recovery of our base business, we are providing an outlook for the first six months of 2021. We expect to provide additional updates as the year progresses."

      Mr. Rusckowski continued: "The pandemic has tested our nearly 50,000 employees and they have responded as heroes, by developing COVID-19 tests, building test capacity, innovating new testing models with our retail partners, transporting specimens, delivering results and of course, supporting our customers. I'm proud of what we have achieved and optimistic about what we can accomplish in 2021."


      Three Months Ended December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended December 31,


      2020


      2019


      Change


      2020


      2019


      Change


      (dollars in millions, except per share data)

      Reported:












      Net revenues

      $

      3,002



      $

      1,926



      55.8

      %


      $

      9,437



      $

      7,726



      22.1

      %

      Diagnostic information services revenues

      $

      2,922



      $

      1,844



      58.4

      %


      $

      9,139



      $

      7,405



      23.4

      %

      Revenue per requisition





      25.2

      %






      16.2

      %

      Requisition volume





      26.8

      %






      6.6

      %

      Organic requisition volume





      22.3

      %






      4.5

      %

      Operating income (a)

      $

      795



      $

      363



      119.1

      %


      $

      1,971



      $

      1,231



      60.2

      %

      Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (a)

      26.5

      %


      18.8

      %


      7.7

      %


      20.9

      %


      15.9

      %


      5.0

      %

      Income from continuing operations attributable to Quest Diagnostics (a)

      $

      579



      $

      253



      129.0

      %


      $

      1,431



      $

      838



      70.8

      %

      Diluted EPS (a) (b)

      $

      4.21



      $

      1.86



      126.9

      %


      $

      10.47



      $

      6.13



      70.8

      %

      Cash provided by operations

      $

      541



      $

      348



      55.4

      %


      $

      2,005



      $

      1,243



      61.3

      %

      Capital expenditures

      $

      162



      $

      172



      (5.9)

      %


      $

      418



      $

      400



      4.4

      %













      Adjusted:












      Operating income

      $

      860



      $

      329



      161.8

      %


      $

      2,210



      $

      1,316



      68.0

      %

      Operating income as a percentage of net revenues

      28.6

      %


      17.0

      %


      11.6

      %


      23.4

      %


      17.0

      %


      6.4

      %

      Income from continuing operations attributable to Quest Diagnostics

      $

      615



      $

      228



      170.0

      %


      $

      1,527



      $

      896



      70.4

      %

      Diluted EPS (b)                     

      $

      4.48



      $

      1.67



      167.7

      %


      $

      11.18



      $

      6.56



      70.4

      %



      (a) 

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



      (b) 

      The sum of reported and adjusted diluted EPS for the four quarters of 2020 did not equal the total for the year ended December 31, 2020 due to quarterly fluctuations in the company's earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding throughout the year as a result of the impact of COVID-19 and the temporary suspension of repurchases under the company's share repurchase program.

      Outlook for First Half of 2021

      The company estimates its first half  2021 results as follows:


      Low


      High


      Net revenues

      $4.85 billion


      $5.15 billion


      Net revenues increase

      32.9%


      41.1%


      Reported diluted EPS

      $5.07


      6.07


      Adjusted diluted EPS

      $5.90


      $6.90


      Cash provided by operations

      At least $800 million


      Capital expenditures

      Approximately $200 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, certain financial impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ("ETB") associated with stock-based compensation, a gain on remeasurement of an equity interest, costs associated with donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity, the company's recently announced initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation to reduce health disparities in underserved communities, the gain on the sale and leaseback of a property, 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 the company's website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor.  The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

      A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or by phone at 866-461-2735 for domestic callers or 203-369-1352 for international callers. No passcode is required.  Telephone replays will be available from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 4, 2021 until midnight Eastern Time on February 18, 2021.  Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read the company's 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 empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes.  Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management.  Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that 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, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response, 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 and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

      (in millions, except per share data)

      (unaudited)



      Three Months Ended
      December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,


      2020


      2019


      2020


      2019

      Net revenues

      $

      3,002



      $

      1,926



      $

      9,437



      $

      7,726










      Operating costs and expenses and other operating expense (income):








      Cost of services

      1,733



      1,264



      5,804



      5,037


      Selling, general and administrative

      447



      349



      1,550



      1,457


      Amortization of intangible assets

      26



      24



      103



      96


      Other operating expense (income), net

      1



      (74)



      9



      (95)


      Total operating costs and expenses, net

      2,207



      1,563



      7,466



      6,495










      Operating income

      795



      363



      1,971



      1,231










      Other income (expense):








      Interest expense, net

      (39)



      (42)



      (163)



      (175)


      Other income, net

      2



      7



      76



      20


      Total non-operating expense, net

      (37)



      (35)



      (87)



      (155)










      Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method investees

      758



      328



      1,884



      1,076


      Income tax expense

      (191)



      (72)



      (460)



      (247)


      Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes

      42



      9



      75



      57


      Income from continuing operations

      609



      265



      1,499



      886


      Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

      —



      —



      —



      20


      Net income

      609



      265



      1,499



      906


      Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

      30



      12



      68



      48


      Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      858










      Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      838


      Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

      —



      —



      —



      20


      Net income

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      858










      Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      4.28



      $

      1.88



      $

      10.62



      $

      6.21


      Income from discontinued operations

      —



      —



      —



      0.15


      Net income

      $

      4.28



      $

      1.88



      $

      10.62



      $

      6.36










      Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - diluted:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      4.21



      $

      1.86



      $

      10.47



      $

      6.13


      Income from discontinued operations

      —



      —



      —



      0.15


      Net income

      $

      4.21



      $

      1.86



      $

      10.47



      $

      6.28










      Weighted average common shares outstanding:








      Basic

      135



      134



      134



      134


      Diluted

      137



      136



      136



      136










      Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries

      Consolidated Balance Sheets

      December 31, 2020 and 2019

      (in millions, except per share data)

      (unaudited)



      December 31,
      2020


      December 31,
      2019

      Assets




      Current assets:




      Cash and cash equivalents

      $

      1,158



      $

      1,192


      Accounts receivable, net

      1,520



      1,063


      Inventories

      223



      123


      Prepaid expenses and other current assets

      157



      112


      Total current assets

      3,058



      2,490


      Property, plant and equipment, net

      1,627



      1,453


      Operating lease right-of-use assets

      604



      518


      Goodwill

      6,873



      6,619


      Intangible assets, net

      1,167



      1,121


      Investment in equity method investees

      521



      482


      Other assets

      176



      160


      Total assets

      $

      14,026



      $

      12,843






      Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity




      Current liabilities:




      Accounts payable and accrued expenses

      $

      1,633



      $

      1,041


      Current portion of long-term debt

      2



      804


      Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities

      141



      145


      Total current liabilities

      1,776



      1,990


      Long-term debt

      4,013



      3,966


      Long-term operating lease liabilities

      499



      413


      Other liabilities

      847



      711


      Redeemable noncontrolling interest

      82



      76


      Stockholders' equity:




      Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity:




      Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 600 shares authorized as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019; 217 shares issued as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019

      2



      2


      Additional paid-in capital

      2,841



      2,722


      Retained earnings

      9,303



      8,174


      Accumulated other comprehensive loss

      (21)



      (39)


      Treasury stock, at cost; 84 shares as of both December 31, 2020 and 2019

      (5,366)



      (5,218)


      Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity

      6,759



      5,641


      Noncontrolling interests

      50



      46


      Total stockholders' equity

      6,809



      5,687


      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

      $

      14,026



      $

      12,843


      Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries

      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

      For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

      (in millions)

      (unaudited)



      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,


      2020


      2019

      Cash flows from operating activities:




      Net income

      $

      1,499



      $

      906


      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




      Depreciation and amortization

      361



      329


      Provision for credit losses

      19



      11


      Deferred income tax provision

      85



      15


      Stock-based compensation expense

      97



      56


      Losses (gains) on sale of property, plant and equipment

      3



      (70)


      Other, net

      (81)



      (39)


      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:




      Accounts receivable

      (455)



      (63)


      Accounts payable and accrued expenses

      452



      73


      Income taxes payable

      22



      29


      Termination of interest rate swap agreements

      40



      —


      Other assets and liabilities, net

      (37)



      (4)


      Net cash provided by operating activities

      2,005



      1,243






      Cash flows from investing activities:




      Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

      (330)



      (58)


      Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment

      3



      91


      Capital expenditures

      (418)



      (400)


      Increase in investments and other assets

      (27)



      (44)


      Net cash used in investing activities

      (772)



      (411)






      Cash flows from financing activities:




      Proceeds from borrowings

      749



      2,281


      Repayments of debt

      (1,554)



      (1,449)


      Purchases of treasury stock

      (325)



      (353)


      Exercise of stock options

      189



      119


      Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based compensation plans

      (15)



      (16)


      Dividends paid

      (297)



      (286)


      Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners

      (58)



      (54)


      Other financing activities, net

      44



      (17)


      Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

      (1,267)



      225






      Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

      (34)



      1,057


      Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

      1,192



      135


      Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

      $

      1,158



      $

      1,192






      Cash paid during the period for:




      Interest

      $

      201



      $

      192


      Income taxes

      $

      360



      $

      202


      Notes to Financial Tables


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



      Three Months Ended
      December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,


      2020


      2019


      2020


      2019


      (in millions, except per share data)

      Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      838


      Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

      —



      —



      —



      20


      Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      858










      Income from continuing operations

      $

      579



      $

      253



      $

      1,431



      $

      838


      Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities

      3



      1



      6



      3


      Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and diluted

      $

      576



      $

      252



      $

      1,425



      $

      835










      Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

      135



      134



      134



      134


      Effect of dilutive securities:








      Stock options and performance share units

      2



      2



      2



      2


      Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

      137



      136



      136



      136










      Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      4.28



      $

      1.88



      $

      10.62



      $

      6.21


      Income from discontinued operations

      —



      —



      —



      0.15


      Net income

      $

      4.28



      $

      1.88



      $

      10.62



      $

      6.36










      Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - diluted:








      Income from continuing operations

      $

      4.21



      $

      1.86



      $

      10.47



      $

      6.13


      Income from discontinued operations

      —



      —



      —



      0.15


      Net income

      $

      4.21



      $

      1.86



      $

      10.47



      $

      6.28


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



      Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
      (dollars in millions, except per share data)


      Operating
      income


      Operating
      income as a
      percentage of
      net revenues


      Income tax
      expense (e)


      Equity in
      earnings of
      equity method
      investees, net
      of taxes


      Income from
      continuing
      operations 
      attributable to
      Quest
      Diagnostics


      Diluted EPS

      As reported

      $

      795



      26.5

      %


      $

      (191)



      $

      42



      $

      579



      $

      4.21


      Restructuring and integration charges (a)

      15



      0.5



      (5)



      —



      10



      0.07


      COVID-19 impact (b)

      22



      0.6



      (4)



      (2)



      14



      0.10


      Amortization expense

      26



      0.9



      (7)



      2



      21



      0.16


      Other (c)

      2



      0.1



      1



      (14)



      (1)



      —


      ETB

      —



      —



      (8)



      —



      (8)



      (0.06)


      As adjusted

      $

      860



      28.6

      %


      $

      (214)



      $

      28



      $

      615



      $

      4.48





      Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
      (dollars in millions, except per share data)


      Operating
      income


      Operating
      income as a
      percentage of
      net revenues


      Income tax
      expense (e)


      Equity in
      earnings of
      equity method
      investees, net
      of taxes


      Income from
      continuing
      operations 
      attributable to
      Quest
      Diagnostics


      Diluted EPS

      As reported

      $

      1,971



      20.9

      %


      $

      (460)



      $

      75



      $

      1,431



      $

      10.47


      Restructuring and integration charges (a)

      58



      0.6



      (14)



      —



      44



      0.32


      COVID-19 impact (b)

      76



      0.8



      (15)



      (4)



      53



      0.39


      Gain on remeasurement of equity interest (d)

      —



      —



      7



      —



      (63)



      (0.46)


      Amortization expense

      103



      1.1



      (28)



      11



      86



      0.63


      Other (c)

      2



      —



      1



      (14)



      (1)



      —


      ETB

      —



      —



      (23)



      —



      (23)



      (0.17)


      As adjusted

      $

      2,210



      23.4

      %


      $

      (532)



      $

      68



      $

      1,527



      $

      11.18





      Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
      (dollars in millions, except per share data)


      Operating
      income


      Operating
      income as a
      percentage of
      net revenues


      Income tax
      expense (e)


      Equity in
      earnings of
      equity method
      investees, net
      of taxes


      Income from
      continuing
      operations 
      attributable to
      Quest
      Diagnostics


      Diluted EPS

      As reported

      $

      363



      18.8

      %


      $

      (72)



      $

      9



      $

      253



      $

      1.86


      Restructuring and integration charges (a)

      14



      0.7



      (4)



      —



      10



      0.07


      Other (c)

      (72)



      (3.8)



      18



      —



      (54)



      (0.39)


      Amortization expense

      24



      1.3



      (6)



      3



      21



      0.15


      ETB

      —



      —



      (2)



      —



      (2)



      (0.02)


      As adjusted

      $

      329



      17.0

      %


      $

      (66)



      $

      12



      $

      228



      $

      1.67





      Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
      (dollars in millions, except per share data)


      Operating
      income


      Operating
      income as a
      percentage of
      net revenues


      Income tax
      expense (e)


      Equity in
      earnings of
      equity method
      investees, net
      of taxes


      Income from
      continuing
      operations 
      attributable to
      Quest
      Diagnostics


      Diluted EPS

      As reported

      $

      1,231



      15.9

      %


      $

      (247)



      $

      57



      $

      838



      $

      6.13


      Restructuring and integration charges (a)

      78



      1.0



      (21)



      —



      57



      0.42


      Other (c)

      (89)



      (1.1)



      18



      —



      (71)



      (0.50)


      Amortization expense

      96



      1.2



      (26)



      15



      85



      0.61


      ETB

      —



      —



      (13)



      —



      (13)



      (0.10)


      As adjusted

      $

      1,316



      17.0

      %


      $

      (289)



      $

      72



      $

      896



      $

      6.56








      (a)

      For both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, represents costs primarily associated with systems conversions and integration incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business.  The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of restructuring and integration charges on the company's consolidated statements of operations:










      Three Months Ended
      December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,






      2020


      2019


      2020


      2019






      (dollars in millions)





      Cost of services

      $

      6



      $

      6



      $

      27



      $

      35






      Selling, general and administrative

      9



      8



      31



      43


















      Operating income

      $

      15



      $

      14



      $

      58



      $

      78








      (b) 

      For both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, principally includes expense associated with payments to eligible employees to help offset expenses they incurred as a result of COVID-19 and incremental costs incurred primarily to protect the health and safety of the company's employees and customers.  The twelve months ended December 31, 2020 also includes certain asset impairment charges.








      The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of these items on the company's consolidated statements of operations:









      Three Months Ended
      December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,





      2020


      2019


      2020


      2019





      (dollars in millions)




      Cost of services

      $

      19



      $

      —



      $

      57



      $

      —





      Selling, general and administrative

      2



      —



      10



      —





      Other operating expense (income), net

      1



      —



      9



      —





          Operating income

      $

      22



      $

      —



      $

      76



      $

      —
















      Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes

      $

      (2)



      $

      —



      $

      (4)



      $

      —
















      Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

      $

      2



      $

      —



      $

      4



      $

      —








      (c)

      For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, primarily represents a gain recognized by an equity method investee to adjust certain of its investments to fair value, a loss on retirement of debt, and, to a lesser extent, costs associated with Quest for Health Equity.  For the three months ended December 31, 2019, primarily represents a gain associated with the sale and leaseback of a property.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the pre-tax impact primarily represents a gain associated with the sale and leaseback of a property, a gain associated with the decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration accruals associated with previous acquisitions, and a gain associated with an insurance claim for hurricane related losses, partially offset by costs incurred related to a data security incident and non-cash asset impairment charges.








      The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of these other items on the company's consolidated statement of operations:








      Three Months Ended
      December 31,


      Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,





      2020


      2019


      2020


      2019





      (dollars in millions)




      Selling, general and administrative

      $

      2



      $

      1



      $

      2



      $

      6





      Other operating expense (income), net

      —



      (73)



      —



      (95)





      Operating income

      $

      2



      $

      (72)



      $

      2



      $

      (89)
















      Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes

      $

      (14)



      $

      —



      $

      (14)



      $

      —
















      Other income, net

      $

      10



      $

      —



      $

      10



      $

      —








      (d)

      For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the pre-tax impact represents a gain of $70 million recognized in other income, net based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of an equity interest.  On August 1, 2020, the company completed its acquisition of the remaining 56% interest in Mid America Clinical Laboratories, LLC ("MACL") from its joint venture partners. As a result of the transaction, the company remeasured its previously held minority interest in MACL to fair value and recognized a gain.







      (e)

      For restructuring and integration charges, COVID-19 impacts, other items and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of 25.5% for both 2020 and 2019.  For the gain on remeasurement of equity interest, income tax expense was calculated based on an effective income tax rate on the transaction of 11.8%, which is lower than the statutory income tax rate due to a permanent difference in the financial reporting and tax basis of goodwill.  For the gain associated with an insurance claim for hurricane related losses in 2019, there was no net income tax expense as the company was able to utilize net operating loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance had previously been established.  For the gain in 2019 associated with the decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration accruals associated with previous acquisitions, there was no net income tax expense related to acquisitions in which the gain is non-taxable.



      3)

      Discontinued operations, net of taxes, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 includes discrete tax benefits of $20 million associated with the favorable resolution of certain tax contingencies related to Nichols Institute Diagnostics, a test kit manufacturing subsidiary whose operations were discontinued in 2006.



      4)

      In November 2020, the company lifted the temporary suspension, announced on April 22, 2020, of the company's common stock repurchase program.  For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the company repurchased 2.0 million shares of its common stock for $250 million.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the company repurchased 2.7 million shares of its common stock for $325 million.  As of December 31, 2020, $0.9 billion remained available under the company's share repurchase authorizations. 



      5)

      During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the company received $138 million of funds that were appropriated to healthcare providers under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.  During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the company returned the funds and net cash provided by operating activities includes the impact of the repayment. 



      6)

      The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the first half of 2021 before the impact of special items.  Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2021.  Additionally, the amount of ETB is dependent upon employee stock option exercises and the company's stock price, which are difficult to predict.  The outlook for diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS is subject to the risks and uncertainties described under "Forward Looking Statements".  The following table reconciles our first half of 2021 outlook for adjusted diluted EPS to the corresponding amounts determined under GAAP:






      Low


      High



      Diluted EPS

      $

      5.07



      $

      6.07




      Restructuring and integration charges (a)

      0.33



      0.33




      Amortization expense (b)

      0.32



      0.32




      Costs associated with Quest for Health Equity (c)

      0.28



      0.28




      ETB

      (0.10)



      (0.10)




      Adjusted diluted EPS

      $

      5.90



      $

      6.90










      (a) 

      Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $60 million primarily associated with systems conversions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business.  Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.









      (b) 

      Represents the estimated impact of amortization expense for first half of 2021 on the calculation of adjusted diluted EPS.  Amortization expense used in the calculation is as follows (dollars in millions):








      Amortization of intangible assets


      $

      54




      Amortization expense included in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes


      5









      Total pre-tax amortization expense


      $

      59









      Total amortization expense, net of an estimated tax benefit using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%


      $

      44










      (c) 

      Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $50 million associated donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity, the company's recently announced initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation to reduce health disparities in underserved communities.  Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

      SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

      Modal title

      Also from this source

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

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

      Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced financial results for the third...

      Current Screening Thresholds May Miss Half of Patients with Primary Aldosterone, a Leading Cause of Severe High Blood Pressure, Finds Study in Hypertension

      Current Screening Thresholds May Miss Half of Patients with Primary Aldosterone, a Leading Cause of Severe High Blood Pressure, Finds Study in Hypertension

      A new study finds that current medical guidelines may inadvertently lead to under-diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA), a hormonal disorder...

      More Releases From This Source

      Explore

      Health Care & Hospitals

      Health Care & Hospitals

      Medical Pharmaceuticals

      Medical Pharmaceuticals

      Earnings

      Earnings

      Earnings Forecasts & Projections

      Earnings Forecasts & Projections

      News Releases in Similar Topics

      Contact PR Newswire

      • Call PR Newswire at 888-776-0942
        from 8 AM - 9 PM ET
      • Chat with an Expert
      • General Inquiries
      • Editorial Bureaus
      • Partnerships
      • Media Inquiries
      • Worldwide Offices

      Products

      • Explore Our Platform
      • Plan Campaigns
      • Create with AI
      • Distribute Press Releases
      • Report Results
      • Amplify Content

      About

      • About PR Newswire
      • About Cision
      • Careers
      • Accessibility Statement
      • APAC
      • APAC - Simplified Chinese
      • APAC - Traditional Chinese
      • Brazil
      • Canada
      • Czech
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Mexico
      • Middle East
      • Middle East - Arabic
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Slovakia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • United Kingdom
      • Vietnam

      My Services

      • All New Releases
      • Platform Login
      • Data Privacy

      Do not sell or share my personal information:

      • Submit via [email protected] 
      • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

      Contact PR Newswire

      Products

      About

      My Services
      • All News Releases
      • Platform Login
      • ProfNet
      Call PR Newswire at
      888-776-0942
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Information Security Policy
      • Site Map
      • RSS
      • Cookies
      Copyright © 2026 Cision US Inc.