Quest Diagnostics Increases Dividend 7.5% To $0.86 Per Quarter, Marking 15 Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases; Announces $1 Billion Increase in Share Repurchase Authorization

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) announced a 7.5% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.86 per share from $0.80, effective with the dividend payable on April 20, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 6, 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) announced a 7.5% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.86 per share from $0.80, effective with the dividend payable on April 20, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 6, 2026.

The change raises the annual cash dividend to $3.44 per share and follows 15 consecutive years of dividend increases. The Board also authorized a $1 billion increase in the share repurchase program, added to approximately $0.4 billion available as of December 31, 2025.

Positive

• Quarterly dividend increased by 7.5% to $0.86 per share
• Annual cash dividend raised to $3.44 per share
• Board authorized an incremental $1.0 billion in share repurchases

Negative

• Higher dividend raises the company's ongoing cash payout obligation to $3.44 annually per share
• Share repurchase authorization used up to $1.4 billion available may reduce near-term liquidity optionality

Argus Feb 10 session

+7.37% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – DGX

In the Feb 10 session, DGX gained 7.37%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The stock moved +7.4% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the...

Analysis

The stock moved +7.4% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the shareholder-friendly nature of this announcement. A 7.5% dividend increase to $0.86 per quarter and an additional $1 billion in repurchase authorization directly enhance capital returns. Historically, DGX has shown mixed moves on positive news, so any outsized gain could eventually face consolidation pressure, especially if future capital allocation or earnings updates shift investor focus.

Key Figures

Dividend increase: 7.5% New quarterly dividend: $0.86 per share Prior quarterly dividend: $0.80 per share +3 more

Dividend increase

7.5%

Increase in quarterly cash dividend authorized by Board

New quarterly dividend

$0.86 per share

Dividend payable starting April 20, 2026

Prior quarterly dividend

$0.80 per share

Dividend level before 7.5% increase

Annual dividend

$3.44 per share

Annualized cash dividend after increase

Buyback increase

$1 billion

Additional share repurchase authorization approved by Board

Existing buyback capacity

$0.4 billion

Repurchase authorization available as of December 31, 2025

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 02

5 events

1. Feb 02

   Product launch

   24h Move

   -1.1%

   Launch of ultrasensitive MRD blood test for multiple myeloma.

2. Jan 21

   Corporate recognition

   24h Move

   -2.3%

   Named to Fortune’s 2026 World’s Most Admired Companies list.

3. Jan 15

   Leadership change

   24h Move

   +1.9%

   Appointment of CEO-elect at Sonora Quest with planned leadership transition.

4. Jan 08

   Earnings timing

   24h Move

   -0.2%

   Announcement of date and logistics for Q4 and full-year 2025 results.

5. Jan 06

   Clinical data

   24h Move

   +4.0%

   Upcoming ASCO GI data presentations using Haystack MRD ctDNA test.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

share repurchase authorization

1 terms

share repurchase authorization financial

"Additionally, the Board of Directors has increased the Company's share repurchase authorization by $1 billion."

A share repurchase authorization is a company's official approval to buy back its own shares from the market. This signals that the company believes its stock is a good investment and can help increase the value of remaining shares by reducing how many are available. For investors, it often suggests confidence from the company and can influence the stock’s price.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has authorized a 7.5% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.86 per share from $0.80 per share. The increase is effective with the dividend payable on April 20, 2026 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on April 6, 2026. With the increase, the annual cash dividend will be $3.44 per share.

Additionally, the Board of Directors has increased the Company's share repurchase authorization by $1 billion. The increased authority is in addition to the approximately $0.4 billion that was available as of December 31, 2025 under the Company's share repurchase program.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, we help reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, empower healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three American adults each year, and our nearly 57,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com

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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What dividend change did Quest Diagnostics (DGX) announce on February 10, 2026?

The company announced a 7.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.86 per share. According to the company, the dividend is payable April 20, 2026 to holders of record on April 6, 2026.

How much will Quest Diagnostics (DGX) pay annually after the dividend increase?

The annual cash dividend becomes $3.44 per share after the increase. According to the company, this reflects the new quarterly rate of $0.86 multiplied across four quarters.

What change did Quest Diagnostics (DGX) make to its share repurchase program on February 10, 2026?

The Board increased share repurchase authorization by $1.0 billion. According to the company, this addition is on top of about $0.4 billion available as of December 31, 2025.

When is the Quest Diagnostics (DGX) increased dividend payable and who is eligible?

The increased dividend is payable on April 20, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 6, 2026. According to the company, eligible holders on the record date will receive the payment.

What does the $1 billion repurchase authorization mean for DGX shareholders?

It authorizes the company to buy back up to $1.0 billion more of its stock, potentially supporting per-share metrics. According to the company, this is added to roughly $0.4 billion previously available.