Quest Diagnostics Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $237.61 (market cap $26.21B), while Wendys Co trades at $8.41 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Quest Diagnostics Inc is far larger — about 18.2× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DGX | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.21B | $1.44B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $238.50 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $173.49 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $31.97B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | 1.45% | 3.71% |
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.
WEN trades at $8.595, up 17.74% in 24 hours, with a neutral technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 EPS of $0.18 beat expectations, but revenue trends are flat and net income margin declined to 5.72% in 2025. The company cut its dividend and withdrew 2026 guidance amid a strategic turnaround under new leadership, facing traffic declines and loss of its No. 2 U.S. burger chain position to Burger King.
Outlook is cautious; the dividend cut frees cash for restructuring, but execution risks are high. Valuation appears reasonable with a P/E of 11.44, though high debt and competitive pressures pose significant headwinds. Analyst consensus is mixed, with 62.75% hold ratings reflecting uncertainty around the turnaround plan's success.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →