Quest Diagnostics Inc (DGX): Today's Featured Health Services Winner

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) pushed the Health Services industry higher today making it today's featured health services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.7%. By the end of trading, Quest Diagnostics rose 40 cents (0.7%) to $56.99 on average volume. Throughout the day, 687,082 shares of Quest Diagnostics exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 915,700 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $56.51-$57.48 after having opened the day at $56.51 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $56.59. Other companies within the Health Services industry that increased today were: Urologix (ULGX), up 19.5%, Dynacq Healthcare (DYII), up 13.4%, Gentiva Health Services (GTIV), up 11.8%, and SRI Surgical Express (STRC), up 8.1%.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. Quest Diagnostics has a market cap of $9.08 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 13.5, equal to the average health services industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 2.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are three analysts that rate Quest Diagnostics a buy, one analyst rates it a sell, and 13 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Quest Diagnostics as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, expanding profit margins, notable return on equity and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had generally poor debt management on most measures that we evaluated.

• You can view the full Quest Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Lakeland Industries (LAKE), down 20.6%, Dynatronics Corporation (DYNT), down 16%, Sunshine Heart (SSH), down 13.3%, and Graymark Healthcare (GRMH), down 12.3%, were all losers within the health services industry with WellPoint (WLP) being today's health services industry loser.

• Use our health services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the health services industry could consider Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) while those bearish on the health services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Health Care (RXD).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Quest Diagnostics Inc click any of the following:

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Stock Price

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Analyst Ratings

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Earnings

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Ratio Comparison

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Growth Rates

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Balance Sheet

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Cash Flow

• Quest Diagnostics Inc Income Statement