Quest Diagnostics Inc vs HCA Health Inc — how do they compare? Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $237.51 (market cap $26.21B), while HCA Health Inc trades at $411.81 (market cap $89.08B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc is far larger — about 3.4× Quest Diagnostics Inc's market cap, and Quest Diagnostics Inc pays the higher dividend (1.45%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DGX | HCA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.21B | $89.08B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $238.50 | $545.13 |
52-Week Low | $173.49 | $361.32 |
Enterprise Value | $31.97B | $139.62B |
Dividend Yield | 1.45% | 0.76% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) trades at $237.24, down 0.16% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $3.12 and raising its full-year outlook, driven by robust testing demand. Revenue grew to $11.04B in 2025, with net income of $992M, though margins face pressure from lower-margin deals and rising costs.
The outlook is positive due to raised guidance and AI integration enhancing efficiency, but risks include debt levels and margin compression. Analysts maintain a cautious buy stance with a $249.50 price target, indicating modest upside potential from current levels amid competitive and cost challenges.
HCA Healthcare trades at $413.27, down 0.18% on the day, with strong technical momentum showing a bullish moving average signal. The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings with EPS of $7.59 beating estimates of $7.56, marking the third consecutive quarterly beat. Revenue growth continues with 2025 revenue reaching $75.60 billion, while maintaining healthy profit margins of 8.77%. Recent management appointments and ongoing legal investigations create mixed sentiment around the stock.
HCA presents a compelling value opportunity with attractive valuation multiples (P/E 13.8, EV/EBITDA 8.8) and strong analyst support (63% buy ratings, $449.93 price target). However, investors face risks from multiple ongoing legal investigations, high debt levels (debt-to-asset ratio 80.9% in 2025), and margin pressure from rising operational costs. The stock offers 8.9% upside to consensus target but requires monitoring of legal developments and expense management.
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 →HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →