Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs Labcorp (LH)
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 Labcorp (LH) over the past year, gaining 27.6% versus a gain of 13.2%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +62.0% price change compared with +34.7% for LH. Labcorp is the larger company by market cap ($25.48 billion vs $25.48 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Quest Diagnostics is growing revenue faster (+11.8% vs +7.2%).
On valuation, Labcorp trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 19.2x for Quest Diagnostics). Quest Diagnostics offers the higher dividend yield (1.44% vs 0.92%). Quest Diagnostics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 6.3%.
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 | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.81 | $314.20 |
| Market cap | $25.48B | $25.48B |
| 1-day change | +1.65% | +0.71% |
| YTD return | +33.01% | +25.24% |
| 1-year return | +27.60% | +13.22% |
| 5-year return | +61.97% | +34.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.50 | 25.99 |
| Forward P/E | 19.18 | 15.86 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $12.09 |
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 0.92% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $2.88 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $13.95B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | +7.25% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $876.50M |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | 28.76% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 9.92% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 6.28% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $341.80 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $244.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.25% | -8.07% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.48% | +9.54% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 742.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 81.10M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 71,000 |
| 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
- DGX has outperformed LH by 14.4 percentage points over the past year.
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 Labcorp
LH stock →Labcorp Holdings Inc. provides laboratory services.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 71,000 employees
DGX vs LH FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp?
Labcorp (LH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.48B compared with $25.48B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or LH?
DGX returned +27.60% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.22% for LH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or LH?
DGX has the lower trailing P/E at 24.5, versus 26.0 for LH. 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 Labcorp?
Quest Diagnostics has the higher yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.92% for Labcorp.
Are Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.