Quest Diagnostics Inc vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. — how do they compare? Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $231.53 (market cap $25.48B), while Essex Property Trust, Inc. trades at $270.86 (market cap $17.26B). The key difference: Quest Diagnostics Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.86%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Quest Diagnostics Inc for 56 Days and Essex Property Trust, Inc. for 111 Days on average.
| DGX | ESS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $25.48B | $17.26B |
Volume | 941,866 | 454,464 |
Sector | Health | Real Estate |
52-Week High | $247.45 | $298.33 |
52-Week Low | $173.49 | $239.61 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 111 Days |
Enterprise Value | $31.23B | $23.86B |
Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 3.86% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) trades at $227.00, down 0.64% with a bearish technical signal. The company shows strong fundamentals with three consecutive quarterly earnings beats and revenue growth from $9.9B in 2024 to $11.0B in 2025. Recent developments include positive clinical study results and a new Apple Health integration, though Medicare reimbursement cuts pose headwinds. The stock trades near support at $226 with oversold RSI readings suggesting potential for near-term bounce.
DGX presents a mixed outlook with solid execution offset by regulatory risks. The 10% upside to consensus price target of $250 offers opportunity, but Medicare payment reductions and rising debt levels require monitoring. Recent earnings momentum and strategic partnerships support growth, making DGX suitable for investors comfortable with healthcare sector volatility.
ESS trades at $270.20, up 0.8% with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results beating FFO guidance and raised full-year outlook, though recent earnings show volatility with two misses in the last four quarters. Revenue has grown steadily from $1.6B in 2022 to $1.9B in 2025, while profit margins remain healthy at 35.48%.
The stock presents a compelling opportunity with 18 buy ratings and consensus price target of $303.41 (12.3% upside), supported by strong operational performance and litigation resolution. Key risks include elevated valuation multiples (P/E 41.83) and debt levels, while institutional buying from BlackRock and Canada Pension Plan provides confidence in the recovery thesis.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Quest Diagnostics is a leading independent provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services in the U.S. The company generates over 95% of its revenue through clinical testing, anatomic pathology, esoteric testing, and substance abuse testing with specimens collected at its national network of roughly 2,300 patient service centers, as well as multiple doctors offices and hospitals. The firm also runs a much smaller diagnostic solutions segment that provides clinical trials testing, risk assessment services, and information technology solutions.
Read more on DGX →Essex Property Trust owns a portfolio of 253 apartment communities with over 62,000 units and is developing three additional properties with 571 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties on the West Coast in the urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, Northern California, and Seattle.
Read more on ESS →