Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs Elevance Health (ELV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has outperformed Elevance Health (ELV) over the past year, gaining 27.6% versus a gain of 10.7%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +62.0% price change compared with +2.0% for ELV. Elevance Health is the larger company by market cap ($86.95 billion vs $25.48 billion), about 3.4 times the size.
On valuation, Elevance Health trades at a lower forward P/E (13.6x vs 19.2x for Quest Diagnostics). Elevance Health offers the higher dividend yield (1.71% vs 1.44%). Quest Diagnostics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 2.8%.
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 | DGX | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.81 | $400.94 |
| Market cap | $25.48B | $86.95B |
| 1-day change | +1.65% | -0.83% |
| YTD return | +33.01% | +14.37% |
| 1-year return | +27.60% | +10.65% |
| 5-year return | +61.97% | +2.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.50 | 17.75 |
| Forward P/E | 19.18 | 13.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $22.59 |
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 1.71% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $6.86 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $199.13B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | +12.49% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $5.66B |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | 89.36% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 3.62% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 2.84% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $436.24 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $274.84 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.25% | -8.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.48% | +12.61% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 1.19M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 216.87M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 96,129 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical Specialities | 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
- Elevance Health is about 3.4 times larger than Quest Diagnostics by market value ($86.95B vs $25.48B).
- DGX has outperformed ELV by 16.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Quest Diagnostics trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.5x vs 17.7x trailing P/E).
- Quest Diagnostics is more profitable, keeping 9.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.8 cents for Elevance Health.
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
About Elevance Health
ELV stock →Elevance Health, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates in four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 96,129 employees
DGX vs ELV FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or Elevance Health?
Elevance Health (ELV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $86.95B compared with $25.48B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or ELV?
DGX returned +27.60% over the past 12 months, compared with +10.65% for ELV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or ELV?
ELV has the lower trailing P/E at 17.7, versus 24.5 for DGX. 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, Quest Diagnostics or Elevance Health?
Elevance Health has the higher yield at 1.71%, compared with 1.44% for Quest Diagnostics.
Are Quest Diagnostics and Elevance Health in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.