Quest Diagnostics reported a significant increase in first-quarter profit and revenue on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, prompting the medical testing giant to raise its full-year financial outlook. The Secaucus, New Jersey-based company attributed the performance to robust demand across its clinical testing portfolio, particularly within its advanced diagnostics segment.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, Quest Diagnostics posted a net income of $252 million, or $2.24 per share. This represents a 14.5% increase compared to the $220 million, or $1.94 per share, reported during the same period the previous year. When adjusted for one-time items and amortization, the company reported earnings of $2.50 per share. This figure exceeded the $2.37 per share consensus estimate provided by analysts surveyed by FactSet.
Total revenue for the first quarter reached $2.90 billion, a 9.2% increase from the $2.66 billion reported in the first quarter of 2025. The result surpassed the $2.83 billion revenue target anticipated by Wall Street. The company noted that the growth was driven by higher sales volumes in several key clinical areas. Specifically, Quest highlighted the performance of its advanced diagnostics division, which includes the AD-Detect blood tests designed for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to neurological testing, Quest reported strong growth in specialized clinical areas, including advanced cardiometabolic and endocrine disease diagnostics. These high-growth segments have become a central focus for the company as it shifts its portfolio toward more complex, value-added testing services. The company stated that the integration of these advanced tests into routine clinical workflows contributed to the overall increase in testing volume and revenue per requisition.
Based on the first-quarter results, Quest Diagnostics updated its financial guidance for the full fiscal year 2026. The company now expects total revenue to fall between $11.78 billion and $11.90 billion, an increase from its previous forecast of $11.70 billion to $11.82 billion. On the earnings front, Quest raised its projected adjusted diluted earnings per share to a range of $10.63 to $10.83, up from the earlier guidance of $10.50 to $10.70.
The upward revision reflects the company's performance in the first three months of the year and its expectations for sustained demand for diagnostic services. Quest Diagnostics continues to expand its footprint through strategic partnerships and the rollout of new testing technologies. The first-quarter results provide a baseline for the company's 2026 fiscal strategy, which emphasizes the expansion of specialized physician services and the continued scaling of its advanced diagnostics platform.