Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs Humana (HUM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Humana (HUM) has outperformed Quest Diagnostics (DGX) over the past year, gaining 34.3% versus a gain of 24.8%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +59.3% price change compared with -10.1% for HUM. Humana is the larger company by market cap ($47.61 billion vs $25.06 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Quest Diagnostics is growing revenue faster (+11.8% vs +10.1%).
On valuation, Quest Diagnostics trades at a lower forward P/E (18.8x vs 23.9x for Humana). Quest Diagnostics offers the higher dividend yield (1.46% vs 0.89%). Quest Diagnostics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 0.9%.
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 | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $227.06 | $396.51 |
| Market cap | $25.06B | $47.61B |
| 1-day change | -0.58% | -1.92% |
| YTD return | +30.85% | +54.81% |
| 1-year return | +24.83% | +34.30% |
| 5-year return | +59.34% | -10.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.10 | 37.48 |
| Forward P/E | 18.83 | 23.90 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $10.58 |
| Dividend yield | 1.46% | 0.89% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $3.54 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $129.66B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | +10.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $1.19B |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | — |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 2.09% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 0.92% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $428.88 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $163.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.75% | -7.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.25% | +6.87% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 1.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 120.08M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 67,060 |
| 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
- Humana trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.5x vs 24.1x trailing P/E).
- Quest Diagnostics is more profitable, keeping 9.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 0.9 cents for Humana.
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 Humana
HUM stock →Humana Inc. provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 67,060 employees
DGX vs HUM FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or Humana?
Humana (HUM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.61B compared with $25.06B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or HUM?
HUM returned +34.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +24.83% for DGX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or HUM?
DGX has the lower trailing P/E at 24.1, versus 37.5 for HUM. 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 Humana?
Quest Diagnostics has the higher yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.89% for Humana.
Are Quest Diagnostics and Humana in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.