Quest Diagnostics Q4 Results Beat Estimates, Sees FY15 Earnings Above View

(RTTNews) - Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX), a provider of diagnostic information services, Thursday said fourth-quarter net income attributable to the company increased to $190 million from last year's $143 million. Earnings per share climbed to $1.29 from $0.97.

Income from continuing operations improved to $1.26 from $0.97. Adjusted income from continuing operations was $1.08 per share, while it totaled $1.03 per share for 2013.

On average, 23 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $1.05 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Net revenues rose to $1.883 billion from $1.756 billion. Analysts expected revenues of $1.85 billion.

The company's Board of Directors authorized a 15 percent increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.33 to $0.38 per share, or $1.52 per share annually, payable on April 22 to shareholders of record on April 8.

For 2015, the firm expects adjusted earnings per share excluding amortization expense to be between $4.70 and $4.85, and estimates that revenues will increase 2 to 3 percent from 2014. Analysts expect earnings of $4.43 per share for 2015.