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DGX vs. EW: Quest Diagnostics vs. Edwards Lifesciences Stock Comparison

How do Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) both fall under the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group, but DGX is classified in Health Care Providers & Services while EW is classified in Health Care Equipment & Supplies.

Company profile comparison for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
Profile ItemDGXEW
NameQuest Diagnostics IncorporatedEdwards Lifesciences Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupHealth Care Equipment & ServicesHealth Care Equipment & Services
GICS IndustryHealth Care Providers & ServicesHealth Care Equipment & Supplies
GICS Sub-IndustryHealth Care ServicesHealth Care Equipment
Market Capitalization28.21 billion USD58.73 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateDecember 17, 1996March 27, 2000
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

DGX
EW
GSPC
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Total Return (1Y)45.88%25.08%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)27.45%17.28%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)14.84%-2.77%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

DGX
EW
GSPC
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)24.06%25.58%
Beta (5Y)0.540.78
Max Drawdown (5Y)-28.62%-54.32%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.00M3.69M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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DGX and EW are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.730.81
Sortino Ratio (1Y)3.161.23

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 15.32% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 9.33% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for DGX.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

15.32%

Max
47.61%
DGX
15.32%
Q3
14.36%
Median
5.45%
Q1
-10.67%
Min
-47.01%

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

9.33%

Max
47.61%
Q3
14.36%
EW
9.33%
Median
5.45%
Q1
-10.67%
Min
-47.01%
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their ROE against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 9.54% and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 15.30% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

9.54%

Max
29.35%
DGX
9.54%
Q3
9.33%
Median
2.18%
Q1
-6.29%
Min
-28.46%

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

15.30%

Max
29.35%
EW
15.30%
Q3
9.33%
Median
2.18%
Q1
-6.29%
Min
-28.46%
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their net margin against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 15.63% and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 30.15% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

15.63%

Max
35.43%
DGX
15.63%
Q3
14.14%
Median
6.81%
Q1
-0.28%
Min
-16.29%

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

30.15%

Max
35.43%
EW
30.15%
Q3
14.14%
Median
6.81%
Q1
-0.28%
Min
-16.29%
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their operating margin against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
ROE (TTM)15.32%9.33%
ROA (TTM)6.61%8.77%
Net Margin (TTM)9.54%15.30%
Operating Margin (TTM)15.63%30.15%
Gross Margin (TTM)33.18%78.02%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 11.78% and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 11.55% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 13.78% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at -73.74% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Revenue Growth (YoY)11.78%11.55%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)3.74%10.77%
EPS Growth (YoY)13.78%-73.74%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)3.16%-9.14%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 1.70 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 4.60 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

1.70

Max
7.59
Q3
4.00
Median
1.98
DGX
1.70
Q1
1.37
Min
0.30

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

4.60

Max
7.59
EW
4.60
Q3
4.00
Median
1.98
Q1
1.37
Min
0.30
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their current ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 0.06 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 0.80 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

0.80

Max
1.88
Q3
0.91
DGX
0.80
Median
0.58
Q1
0.16
Min
0.00

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

0.06

Max
1.88
Q3
0.91
Median
0.58
Q1
0.16
EW
0.06
Min
0.00
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.704.60
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.800.06
Net Debt / EBITDA2.38-1.88

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Quest Diagnostics (DGX) reports a yield of 1.33%, ranking against industry peers normally.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

1.33%

DGX
1.33%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

0.00%

EW
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Quest Diagnostics (DGX) reports a payout of 25.10%, ranking against industry peers normally.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

25.10%

DGX
25.10%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

0.00%

EW
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.33%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)25.10%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 25.46 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 59.38 sits in the richer quartile — EW needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

25.46

Max
80.41
Q3
47.62
Median
29.93
DGX
25.46
Q1
21.19
Min
4.21

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

59.38

Max
80.41
EW
59.38
Q3
47.62
Median
29.93
Q1
21.19
Min
4.21
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 2.38 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 8.80 sits in the pricier quartile — EW costs more per dollar of sales.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

2.38

Max
8.80
Q3
4.32
DGX
2.38
Median
2.13
Q1
1.10
Min
0.03

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

8.80

EW
8.80
Max
8.80
Q3
4.32
Median
2.13
Q1
1.10
Min
0.03
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Quest Diagnostics (DGX) at 3.68 and Edwards Lifesciences (EW) at 5.41 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

DGX

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

3.68

Max
11.68
Q3
6.12
DGX
3.68
Median
3.00
Q1
1.73
Min
-1.31

EW

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

5.41

Max
11.68
Q3
6.12
EW
5.41
Median
3.00
Q1
1.73
Min
-1.31
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Edwards Lifesciences (EW): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Edwards Lifesciences (EW)
MetricDGXEW
P/E Ratio (TTM)25.4659.38
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.388.80
P/B Ratio (MRQ)3.685.41
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.09%1.95%