Agilent Technologies (A) vs Quest Diagnostics (DGX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has outperformed Agilent Technologies (A) over the past year, gaining 25.3% versus a gain of 22.0%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +59.9% price change compared with +10.3% for A. Agilent Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($47.68 billion vs $25.06 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Quest Diagnostics is growing revenue faster (+11.8% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Quest Diagnostics trades at a lower forward P/E (18.8x vs 25.0x for Agilent Technologies). Quest Diagnostics offers the higher dividend yield (1.46% vs 0.60%). Agilent Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.8% versus 9.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | A | DGX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $169.09 | $227.06 |
| Market cap | $47.68B | $25.06B |
| 1-day change | -0.14% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | +24.28% | +31.33% |
| 1-year return | +22.05% | +25.30% |
| 5-year return | +10.33% | +59.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.35 | 24.10 |
| Forward P/E | 25.02 | 18.83 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.07 | $9.42 |
| Dividend yield | 0.60% | 1.46% |
| Annual dividend | $1.01 | $3.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.95B | $11.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.73% | +11.78% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.30B | $992.00M |
| Gross margin | 52.43% | 33.21% |
| Operating margin | 21.29% | 14.10% |
| Net margin | 18.75% | 8.99% |
| 52-week high | $177.05 | $248.84 |
| 52-week low | $108.35 | $171.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.50% | -8.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.38% | +9.25% |
| Average volume | 2.26M | 1.04M |
| Shares outstanding | 281.97M | 110.37M |
| Employees | 18,200 | 46,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments | Medical Specialities |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Agilent Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.4x vs 24.1x trailing P/E).
- Agilent Technologies is more profitable, keeping 18.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 9.0 cents for Quest Diagnostics.
- Quest Diagnostics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.78% vs +6.73%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Agilent Technologies in Industrials and Quest Diagnostics in Health Care.
About Agilent Technologies
A stock →Agilent Technologies, Inc. provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide.
Industrials · Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments · 18,200 employees
About Quest Diagnostics
DGX stock →Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 46,000 employees
A vs DGX FAQ
Which is bigger, Agilent Technologies or Quest Diagnostics?
Agilent Technologies (A) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.68B compared with $25.06B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, A or DGX?
DGX returned +25.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.05% for A (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, A or DGX?
DGX has the lower trailing P/E at 24.1, versus 33.4 for A. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Agilent Technologies or Quest Diagnostics?
Quest Diagnostics has the higher yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.60% for Agilent Technologies.
Are Agilent Technologies and Quest Diagnostics in the same industry?
No. Agilent Technologies is in the Industrials sector, while Quest Diagnostics is in Health Care.