Compare Stocks › DGX vs MS
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
DGX
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
$194.16
VS
MS
Morgan Stanley
$158.55
Rewards
DGX
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $1.03 of market value — management is creating shareholder value.
MS
- ★Gross margin of 87.1% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $6.65 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
- ★PEG ratio of 0.75 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
Risks
DGX
- ⚠FCF yield of 6.3% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
- ⚠PEG ratio of 2.01 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
- ⚠Insiders have sold $10.7M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.
MS
- ⚠High leverage (4.56x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.29 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
- ⚠7 insider sales totaling $25.2M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →DGX
MS
Valuation
$1.36B
Free Cash Flow
N/A
6.29%
FCF Yield
N/A
22.16
Trailing P/E
15.53
16.91
Forward P/E
12.89
Quality & Moat
8.78%
ROIC
3.43%
13.62%
ROE
14.42%
33.33%
Gross Margin
87.06%
2.01
PEG Ratio
0.75
Balance Sheet Safety
0.90
Debt / Equity
4.56
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
2.83
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
1.77%
Dividend Yield
2.52%
DGX: 2Ties: 1MS: 6
DGXMS
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →DGX
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
MS
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →DGX
$1.03
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Value Creator
Σ Retained
$1.72B
Δ Market Cap
+$1.77B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
MS
$6.65
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$20.84B
Δ Market Cap
+$138.59B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →DGX
40.6% Overvalued
Price is 40.6% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $194.16
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $138.07
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
MS
45.5% Margin of Safety
Price is 45.5% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $158.55
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $290.92
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →DGX
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $194?
+12.3%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +8.0%
The market implies +12.3% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +8.0%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
MS
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →DGX
56/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Narrow moat with margin stability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
MS
32/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
No durable moat detected, though revenue predictability shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →DGX
-2.66
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
MS
-2.09
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →DGX
Insiders 0.4%Institutions 100.0%
No. of Institutional Holders1,438
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
MS
Insiders 24.0%Institutions 62.7%Retail & Other 13.3%
No. of Institutional Holders3,181
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →DGX
5
Buys (3M)
14
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $88,239
CARTER ROBERT B
Director
$1,101
@ $183.50 · 2026-01-28
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$12,295
@ $183.51 · 2026-01-28
LASSITER WRIGHT III
Director
$1,285
@ $183.57 · 2026-01-28
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$2,936
@ $183.50 · 2026-01-28
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$2,753
@ $183.53 · 2026-01-28
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$13,232
@ $167.49 · 2025-07-21
SAMAD SAMER ABDUL
Chief Financial Officer
$12,060
@ $167.50 · 2025-07-21
LASSITER WRIGHT III
Director
$1,173
@ $167.57 · 2025-07-21
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$4,522
@ $167.48 · 2025-07-21
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$2,847
@ $167.47 · 2025-07-21
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$13,318
@ $164.42 · 2025-04-21
SAMAD SAMER ABDUL
Chief Financial Officer
$12,167
@ $164.42 · 2025-04-21
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$4,439
@ $164.41 · 2025-04-21
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$4,111
@ $164.44 · 2025-04-21
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$9,008
@ $158.04 · 2025-01-29
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$11,379
@ $158.04 · 2025-01-29
SAMAD SAMER ABDUL
Chief Financial Officer
$5,531
@ $158.03 · 2025-01-29
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$1,896
@ $158.00 · 2025-01-29
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$632.00
@ $158.00 · 2025-01-29
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$8,962
@ $149.37 · 2024-10-21
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$11,352
@ $149.37 · 2024-10-21
SAMAD SAMER ABDUL
Chief Financial Officer
$5,527
@ $149.38 · 2024-10-21
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$3,137
@ $149.38 · 2024-10-21
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$598.00
@ $149.50 · 2024-10-21
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$8,818
@ $146.97 · 2024-07-22
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$11,317
@ $146.97 · 2024-07-22
SAMAD SAMER ABDUL
Chief Financial Officer
$3,086
@ $146.95 · 2024-07-22
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$4,556
@ $146.97 · 2024-07-22
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$882.00
@ $147.00 · 2024-07-22
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
MS
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $5,630
PETERSON DOUGLAS L
Director
$5,630
@ $156.39 · 2025-10-17
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →DGX
12
Sells (3M)
26
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $40.24M
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$799,682
@ $206.21 · 2026-03-05
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$588,730
@ $206.21 · 2026-03-05
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$1.15M
@ $206.21 · 2026-03-05
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$538,372
@ $204.86 · 2026-03-04
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$109,266
@ $207.73 · 2026-03-03
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$85,169
@ $207.73 · 2026-03-03
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$131,285
@ $207.73 · 2026-03-03
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$227,566
@ $204.83 · 2026-02-19
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$196,227
@ $204.83 · 2026-02-19
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$293,521
@ $204.83 · 2026-02-19
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$5.39M
@ $206.15 · 2026-02-13
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$1.16M
@ $204.00 · 2026-02-10
DAVIS J E CAUSEY
Chief Executive Officer
$10.59M
@ $192.22 · 2025-11-25
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$239,700
@ $191.76 · 2025-11-25
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$1.49M
@ $187.35 · 2025-11-18
PFEIFFER GARY M
Director
$270,317
@ $182.40 · 2025-10-22
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$42,706
@ $188.13 · 2025-09-26
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$5.33M
@ $187.12 · 2025-09-24
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$365,375
@ $185.00 · 2025-08-21
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$829,356
@ $183.00 · 2025-08-19
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$355,500
@ $180.00 · 2025-08-15
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$968,625
@ $175.00 · 2025-08-06
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$1.76M
@ $167.95 · 2025-07-31
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$306,800
@ $175.51 · 2025-05-13
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$434,350
@ $170.00 · 2025-04-02
DAVIS JAMES E
Chief Executive Officer
$6.60M
@ $168.46 · 2025-04-02
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$789,310
@ $170.00 · 2025-03-17
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$935,078
@ $174.13 · 2025-03-05
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$104,068
@ $175.79 · 2025-03-04
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$125,866
@ $175.79 · 2025-03-04
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$91,138
@ $172.61 · 2025-02-27
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$142,231
@ $172.61 · 2025-02-27
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$103,278
@ $170.99 · 2025-02-20
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$244,515
@ $170.51 · 2025-02-20
PLEWMAN PATRICK
Officer
$54,307
@ $169.71 · 2025-02-19
GREGG VICKY B
Director
$205,710
@ $164.57 · 2025-02-05
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$66,214
@ $164.30 · 2025-02-05
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$5.73M
@ $163.07 · 2024-11-29
DOHERTY CATHERINE T
Officer
$5.40M
@ $162.99 · 2024-11-27
DEPPE MICHAEL J
Officer
$2.89M
@ $154.05 · 2024-11-06
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$278,525
@ $156.92 · 2024-10-28
PREVOZNIK MICHAEL E
General Counsel
$5.04M
@ $154.97 · 2024-08-29
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$304,990
@ $153.26 · 2024-08-28
DELANEY MARK E
Officer
$60,094
@ $143.08 · 2024-07-24
KUPPUSAMY KARTHIK
Officer
$246,400
@ $140.00 · 2024-04-29
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
MS
7
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $62.45M
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$6.02M
@ $182.61 · 2026-01-30
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$3.97M
@ $184.00 · 2026-01-20
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.44M
@ $183.45 · 2026-01-20
YESHAYA SHARON
Chief Financial Officer
$2.94M
@ $185.77 · 2026-01-20
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.55M
@ $182.08 · 2026-01-20
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$3.69M
@ $184.55 · 2026-01-20
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$5.57M
@ $183.62 · 2026-01-20
PICK EDWARD N.
Chief Executive Officer
$16.43M
@ $164.34 · 2025-10-31
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.69M
@ $141.12 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.09M
@ $141.13 · 2025-07-17
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$2.81M
@ $140.30 · 2025-07-17
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.53M
@ $140.62 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$3.70M
@ $127.37 · 2025-05-12
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$95,459
@ $119.32 · 2025-05-02
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.80M
@ $120.00 · 2025-05-02
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.12M
@ $111.65 · 2025-04-15
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.15M
@ $138.06 · 2025-01-22
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.78M
@ $136.20 · 2025-01-21
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$5.00M
@ $136.61 · 2025-01-21
AKRAM RAJA
Chief Financial Officer
$2.38M
@ $136.01 · 2025-01-21
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.52M
@ $136.92 · 2025-01-21
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.20M
@ $136.43 · 2025-01-21
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$368,375
@ $105.25 · 2024-07-26
AKRAM RAJA
Officer
$797,764
@ $106.37 · 2024-07-18
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.26M
@ $106.54 · 2024-07-17
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$106,621
@ $106.62 · 2024-07-17
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$692,663
@ $99.61 · 2024-05-14
GORMAN JAMES P
Officer and Director
$9.02M
@ $90.21 · 2024-04-18
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.01M
@ $90.09 · 2024-04-17
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →DGX
😐Neutral(50/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
MS
😐Neutral(48/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →DGX
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (50)
MS
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (48)