Quest Diagnostics Beats Estimates by a Penny

Earnings Scorecard
Actual	Estimated*	Year-Ago
$0.59	$0.58	$0.22

Quest Diagnostics (DGX Quote), a provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street's slightly raised expectations by a penny.

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, income before extraordinary items rose to $28.3 million, or 59 cents a diluted share, from $9.7 million, or 22 cents a share, in 1999. According to First Call/Thomson Financial, analysts were expecting the company to earn 58 cents in the latest quarter.

Quest, which is based in Teterboro, N.J., said fourth-quarter revenue increased to $836 million from $815 million in the same period a year ago....