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Quest Diagnostics Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results Updates Guidance for Full Year 2023 First quarter revenues of $2.33 billion, down 10.7% from 2022 First quarter reported diluted earnings per share ( EPS ) o

Key Takeaway: Quest Diagnostics reported its first quarter 2023 financial results, revealing a revenue decline of 10.7% year-over-year, totaling $2.33 billion. The company noted a significant drop in earnings, with reported diluted EPS down by 39.0%. Despite these challenges, base business revenues grew by 10.0%, reflecting strong performance across physician and hospital customers. The company also updated its full year 2023 guidance, anticipating revenues between $8.93 billion and $9.08 billion, amid ongoing declines in COVID-19 testing revenues.

Market Sentiment Analysis

POSITIVE FACTORS

  • Base business revenues increased by 10.0% year-over-year.
  • Acquisition of Haystack Oncology supports growth strategy in molecular genomics.
  • Continued strong performance in the base business despite COVID-19 revenue declines.

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • Total revenues decreased by 10.7% compared to the previous year.
  • Reported diluted EPS fell by 39.0% year-over-year.
  • COVID-19 testing revenues plummeted by 80.2% compared to 2022.
  • Operating income declined significantly by 40.6% from the previous year.

Full Press Release Details

Quest Diagnostics Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Updates Guidance for Full Year 2023
First quarter revenues of $2.33 billion, down 10.7% from 2022
First quarter reported diluted earnings per share ( EPS ) of $1.78, down 39.0% from 2022 and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.04, down 36.6% from 2022
First quarter base business revenues of $2.21 billion, up 10.0% from 2022
Full year 2023 revenues now expected to be between $8.93 billion and $9.08 billion reported diluted EPS now expected to be between $7.52 and $8.02 and adjusted diluted EPS expected to be between $8.45 and $8.95
SECAUCUS, N.J., April 27, 2023 - Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
In the first quarter we delivered double digit year-over-year revenue growth in our base business, driven by strong performance across our physician and hospital customers, said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO and President. We are excited about our announced acquisition of Haystack Oncology, which supports our molecular genomics and oncology strategy in the fast growing category of minimal residual disease testing.
Mr. Davis continued Our updated guidance reflects continued strong performance in our base business, offset by faster than expected declines in COVID-19 revenues and modest dilution from our planned acquisition of Haystack.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022 Change
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Reported
Net revenues $ 2,331 $ 2,611 (10.7) %
Base business revenues (a) $ 2,212 $ 2,012 10.0 %
COVID-19 testing revenues $ 119 $ 599 (80.2) %
Diagnostic Information Services revenues $ 2,259 $ 2,541 (11.1) %
Revenue per requisition (7.7) %
Requisition volume (3.8) %
Organic requisition volume (3.9) %
Operating income (b) $ 305 $ 513 (40.6) %
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues (b) 13.1 % 19.7 % (6.6) %
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics (b) $ 202 $ 355 (43.0) %
Diluted EPS (b) $ 1.78 $ 2.92 (39.0) %
Cash provided by operations $ 94 $ 480 (80.5) %
Capital expenditures $ 127 $ 63 101.3 %
Adjusted (b)
Operating income $ 350 $ 554 (36.8) %
Operating income as a percentage of net revenues 15.0 % 21.2 % (6.2) %
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $ 232 $ 392 (40.7) %
Diluted EPS $ 2.04 $ 3.22 (36.6) %
(a)Excludes COVID-19 testing.
(b)For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to operating income, operating income as a percentage of net revenues, net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.
Updated Guidance for Full Year 2023
The company updates its Full Year 2023 guidance as follows
Updated Guidance Prior Guidance
Low High Low High
Net revenues $8.93 billion $9.08 billion $8.83 billion $9.03 billion
Net revenues decrease (9.6)% (8.1)% (10.7)% (8.6)%
Base business revenues (a) $8.78 billion $8.88 billion $8.65 billion $8.75 billion
Base business revenues increase 4.2% 5.4% 2.6% 3.8%
COVID-19 testing revenues $150 million $200 million $175 million $275 million
COVID-19 testing revenues decrease (89.7)% (86.2)% (88.0)% (81.1)%
Reported diluted EPS $7.52 $8.02 $7.61 $8.21
Adjusted diluted EPS $8.45 $8.95 $8.40 $9.00
Cash provided by operations At least $1.3 billion At least $1.3 billion
Capital expenditures Approximately $400 million Approximately $400 million
(a) Excludes COVID-19 testing
Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures
As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted" refers to non-GAAP operating performance measures that exclude special items such as restructuring and integration charges, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ( ETB ) associated with stock-based compensation, costs associated with donations, contributions, and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity (our initiative with the Quest Diagnostics Foundation to reduce health disparities in underserved communities), gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments, and other items.
Non-GAAP adjusted measures are presented because management believes those measures are useful adjuncts to GAAP results. Non-GAAP adjusted measures should not be considered as an alternative to the corresponding measures determined under GAAP. Management may use these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, to establish operational budgets and forecasts and for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and analysts to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business and to assess our performance. The additional tables attached below include reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted measures to GAAP measures.
Conference Call Information
Quest Diagnostics will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss financial results beginning at 8 30 a.m. Eastern Time today. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, passcode 7895081 or via live webcast on our website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com investor. We suggest participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.
A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com investor or, from approximately 10 30 a.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2023 until midnight Eastern Time on May 11, 2023, by phone at 866-363-1835 for domestic callers or 203-369-0200 for international callers. Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read our periodic reports, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and
improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, the complexity of billing, reimbursement and revenue recognition for clinical laboratory testing, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers or strategic partners and other factors discussed in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the company's subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including those discussed in the "Business," "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of those reports.
For further information Denny Moynihan, Quest Diagnostics (Media) 973-520-2800, Shawn Bevec, Quest Diagnostics (Investors) 973-520-2900
This earnings release, including the attached financial tables, is available online in the Newsroom section at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
ADDITIONAL TABLES FOLLOW
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
(in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
Net revenues $ 2,331 $ 2,611
Operating costs and expenses and other operating income
Cost of services 1,560 1,646
Selling, general and administrative 439 425
Amortization of intangible assets 26 27
Other operating expense, net 1 -
Total operating costs and expenses, net 2,026 2,098
Operating income 305 513
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net (35) (37)
Other income (expense), net 7 (24)
Total non-operating expense, net (28) (61)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of equity method investees 277 452
Income tax expense (65) (110)
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes 5 31
Net income 217 373
Less Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 15 18
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $ 202 $ 355
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders
Basic $ 1.80 $ 2.97
Diluted $ 1.78 $ 2.92
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 112 119
Diluted 113 121
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
(in millions, except per share data)
March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 175 $ 315
Accounts receivable, net 1,254 1,195
Inventories 190 192
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 195 196
Total current assets 1,814 1,898
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,795 1,766
Operating lease right-of-use assets 589 585
Goodwill 7,241 7,220
Intangible assets, net 1,077 1,092
Investments in equity method investees 128 132
Other assets 150 144
Total assets $ 12,794 $ 12,837
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 1,198 $ 1,396
Current portion of long-term debt 2 2
Current portion of long-term operating lease liabilities 155 153
Total current liabilities 1,355 1,551
Long-term debt 3,975 3,978
Long-term operating lease liabilities 490 489
Other liabilities 809 812
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 77 77
Stockholders' equity
Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share 600 shares authorized as of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 162 shares issued as of both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 2 2
Additional paid-in capital 2,266 2,295
Retained earnings 8,412 8,290
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (18) (21)
Treasury stock, at cost 50 and 51 shares as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (4,612) (4,673)
Total Quest Diagnostics stockholders' equity 6,050 5,893
Noncontrolling interests 38 37
Total stockholders' equity 6,088 5,930
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 12,794 $ 12,837
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 217 $ 373
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 107 106
Credit for credit losses (1) -
Deferred income tax benefit (4) (43)
Stock-based compensation expense 24 18
Other, net 3 4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (58) 72
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (211) (165)
Income taxes payable 11 95
Other assets and liabilities, net 6 20
Net cash provided by operating activities 94 480
Cash flows from investing activities
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (31) (105)
Capital expenditures (127) (63)
Increase in investments and other assets - (1)
Net cash used in investing activities (158) (169)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings 140 -
Repayments of debt (140) (1)
Purchases of treasury stock - (373)
Exercise of stock options 25 10
Employee payroll tax withholdings on stock issued under stock-based compensation plans (28) (27)
Dividends paid (74) (74)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners (14) (20)
Other financing activities, net 15 14
Net cash used in financing activities (76) (471)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (140) (160)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 315 872
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 175 $ 712
Cash paid during the period for
Interest $ 32 $ 32
Income taxes $ 33 $ 23
Notes to Financial Tables
1)The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
(in millions, except per share data)
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics $ 202 $ 355
Less earnings allocated to participating securities 1 1
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders - basic and diluted $ 201 $ 354
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 112 119
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options and performance share units 1 2
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 113 121
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders
Basic $ 1.80 $ 2.97
Diluted $ 1.78 $ 2.92
2)The following tables reconcile reported GAAP results to non-GAAP adjusted results
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating income Operating income as a percentage of net revenues Income tax expense (d) Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics Diluted EPS
As reported $ 305 13.1 % $ (65) $ 5 $ 202 $ 1.78
Restructuring and integration charges (a) 19 0.8 (5) - 14 0.12
Gains and losses on investments (b) - - (1) 3 2 0.02
Amortization expense 26 1.1 (7) - 19 0.17
ETB - - (5) - (5) (0.05)
As adjusted $ 350 15.0 % $ (83) $ 8 $ 232 $ 2.04
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Operating income Operating income as a percentage of net revenues Income tax expense (d) Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics Diluted EPS
As reported $ 513 19.7 % $ (110) $ 31 $ 355 $ 2.92
Restructuring and integration charges (a) 12 0.4 (3) - 9 0.07
Gains and losses on investments (b) - - (4) - 12 0.10
Other (c) 2 0.1 (1) - 1 0.01
Amortization expense 27 1.0 (7) - 20 0.16
ETB - - (5) - (5) (0.04)
As adjusted $ 554 21.2 % $ (130) $ 31 $ 392 $ 3.22
(a)For both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the pre-tax impact represents costs primarily associated with workforce reductions, systems conversions and integration incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of restructuring and integration charges on our consolidated statements of operations
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
(dollars in millions)
Cost of services $ 10 $ 3
Selling, general and administrative 9 9
Operating income $ 19 $ 12
(b)For both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the pre-tax impact represents gains and losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments. The following table summarizes the pre-tax impact of gains and losses on investments on our consolidated statements of operations
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022
(dollars in millions)
Other income (expense), net $ - $ 16
Equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes $ 3 $ -
(c)For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the pre-tax impact primarily represents the costs associated with donations, contributions and other financial support through Quest for Health Equity, recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
(d)For restructuring and integration charges, gains and losses on investments, other items and amortization expense, income tax impacts, where recorded, were primarily calculated using combined statutory income tax rates of 25.5% for both 2023 and 2022.
3)The outlook for adjusted diluted EPS represents management's estimates for the full year 2023 before the impact of special items. Further impacts to earnings related to special items may occur throughout 2023. Additionally, the amount of ETB is dependent upon employee stock option exercises and our stock price, which are difficult to predict. The following table reconciles our 2023 outlook for diluted EPS under GAAP to our outlook for adjusted diluted EPS
Low High
Diluted EPS $ 7.52 $ 8.02
Restructuring and integration charges (a) 0.30 0.30
Amortization expense (b) 0.76 0.76
Gains and losses on investments (c) 0.02 0.02
ETB (0.15) (0.15)
Adjusted diluted EPS $ 8.45 $ 8.95
(a)Represents estimated pre-tax charges of $47 million primarily associated with workforce reductions, systems conversions and integration costs incurred in connection with further restructuring and integrating our business. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.
(b)Represents estimated pre-tax amortization expenses of $117 million. Income tax benefits were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.
(c)Represents $3 million of pre-tax losses associated with changes in the carrying value of our strategic investments. Income tax impacts were calculated using a combined statutory income tax rate of 25.5%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Quest Diagnostics' Q1 2023 revenues?

Revenues for Q1 2023 were $2.33 billion, a decrease of 10.7% from 2022.

How much did diluted EPS drop from 2022?

Diluted EPS fell by 39.0% to $1.78 in the first quarter of 2023.

What is the updated revenue guidance for 2023?

The revenue forecast for 2023 ranges between $8.93 billion and $9.08 billion.

What drove the revenue growth in Q1 2023?

Revenue growth was primarily driven by strong performance in the base business.

What impact did COVID-19 testing have on revenues?

COVID-19 testing revenues decreased by 80.2% to $119 million in Q1 2023.

Last updated: Apr 27, 2023