Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs Medpace (MEDP)
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 Medpace (MEDP) over the past year, gaining 27.6% versus a gain of 13.5%. Over five years, MEDP leads with a +222.2% price change compared with +62.0% for DGX. Quest Diagnostics is the larger company by market cap ($25.42 billion vs $17.07 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Medpace is growing revenue faster (+20.0% vs +11.8%).
On valuation, Quest Diagnostics trades at a lower forward P/E (19.1x vs 31.7x for Medpace). Quest Diagnostics pays a dividend yielding 1.44%, while Medpace does not currently pay one. Medpace converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.8% 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 | DGX | MEDP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.27 | $611.61 |
| Market cap | $25.42B | $17.07B |
| 1-day change | -0.23% | +1.48% |
| YTD return | +33.01% | +7.31% |
| 1-year return | +27.60% | +13.50% |
| 5-year return | +61.97% | +222.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.44 | 35.91 |
| Forward P/E | 19.14 | 31.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $17.03 |
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $2.53B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | +19.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $451.12M |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | — |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 21.14% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 17.83% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $677.90 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $373.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.46% | -9.78% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.73% | -3.23% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 272.38K |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 27.91M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 6,500 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical Specialities | Biotechnology: Commercial Physical & Biological Resarch |
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 MEDP by 14.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Medpace trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.9x vs 24.4x trailing P/E).
- Quest Diagnostics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.44% vs 0.00%).
- Medpace is more profitable, keeping 17.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 9.0 cents for Quest Diagnostics.
- Medpace grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.97% vs +11.78%).
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 Medpace
MEDP stock →Medpace Holdings, Inc. provides clinical research-based drug and medical device development services in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Commercial Physical & Biological Resarch · 6,500 employees
DGX vs MEDP FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or Medpace?
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $25.42B compared with $17.07B for Medpace (MEDP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or MEDP?
DGX returned +27.60% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.50% for MEDP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or MEDP?
DGX has the lower trailing P/E at 24.4, versus 35.9 for MEDP. 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 Medpace?
Quest Diagnostics pays a dividend yielding 1.44%, while Medpace does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Quest Diagnostics and Medpace in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Medical Specialities for Quest Diagnostics and Biotechnology: Commercial Physical & Biological Resarch for Medpace.