Quest Diagnostics Q1 Profit Declines, Backs FY15 Outlook - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX), a provider of diagnostic information services, Thursday said first-quarter net income attributable to the company decreased to $61 million, or $0.42 per share from last year's $104 million or $0.71 per share in the comparable quarter last year.

Adjusted net income for the latest first quarter was $141 million or $1.05 per share, up from $122 million or $0.93 per share in the prior year quarter.

On average, 22 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $1.04 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Net revenues rose to $1.84 billion from $1.75 billion, while 21 analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $1.84 billion.

For 2015, the firm still expects adjusted earnings per share excluding amortization expense to be between $4.70 and $4.85, and estimates that revenues to increase 2 to 3 percent from 2014. Analysts expect earnings of $4.78 per share for 2015.