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DGX vs SYK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs. Stryker (SYK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Quest Diagnostics (DGX), a leader in diagnostic testing, reported strong Q4 2025 results with revenue up 7.1% and EPS up 11.8%, alongside a 7.5% dividend increase.
- Stryker (SYK), a medical technology firm, beat Q4 2025 earnings estimates and recently announced the acquisition of Amplitude Vascular Systems to bolster its vascular portfolio.
- DGX shares have risen about 12.6% year-to-date, reflecting stability in diagnostics amid steady demand.
- SYK trades at a premium valuation with forecasted earnings growth of 17% annually, outpacing DGX's 9.7%.
- Both stocks show resilience in healthcare, but SYK benefits from M&A (mergers and acquisitions) catalysts and device innovation.
- Tickeron's AI leans toward SYK for superior growth prospects in recent market activity.
Introduction
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Stryker (SYK) represent distinct segments of the healthcare sector: diagnostics versus medical devices. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, business drivers, and market positioning to aid investors seeking defensive plays or growth opportunities. Traders focused on relative performance may find value in understanding sentiment shifts and catalysts amid evolving healthcare demands, such as advanced testing and procedural innovations. With both exhibiting stability, the analysis highlights trade-offs for portfolio diversification.
DGX Overview and Recent Performance
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) is a leading provider of diagnostic information services, offering clinical lab testing for physicians, hospitals, and consumers. In recent quarters, the company has benefited from steady demand for routine and advanced diagnostics. Its Q4 2025 results showed revenues of $2.81 billion, up 7.1% year-over-year, and diluted EPS of $2.18, up 11.8%, driven by volume growth and operational efficiencies. The firm increased its quarterly dividend by 7.5% to $0.86 per share, signaling confidence in cash flows. Shares, trading around $196, have gained approximately 12.6% year-to-date and 20.3% over the past year, supported by a 1.76% dividend yield and trading at a discount to fair value estimates. Recent market activity reflects positive sentiment from margin expansion and collaborations, though upcoming Q1 2026 earnings will test sustained momentum.
SYK Overview and Recent Performance
Stryker (SYK) specializes in medical technologies, including orthopaedics, surgical equipment, and neurotechnology. The company has pursued growth through innovation and acquisitions. In Q4 2025, it reported EPS of $4.47, surpassing estimates by 1.82%, with robust revenue growth amid strong procedure volumes. Recently, Stryker signed a deal to acquire Amplitude Vascular Systems, enhancing its peripheral vascular offerings with next-generation intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) technology. Shares, near $338, have shown resilience despite some daily pullbacks, with analysts forecasting 17% annual earnings growth. Year-to-date performance trails peers slightly due to sector volatility, but recent momentum stems from product launches and M&A activity, positioning it for potential upside ahead of Q1 2026 results.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
DGX focuses on recurring diagnostic services with stable revenues tied to healthcare utilization, contrasting SYK’s product-driven model reliant on procedures and device sales. Growth drivers differ: DGX leverages volume and efficiency for 9.7% earnings growth, while SYK targets 17% via M&A and innovation. Recent momentum favors SYK with acquisition catalysts, though DGX offers lower volatility and dividends. Risk factors include reimbursement pressures for DGX and supply chain issues for SYK. Sector exposure is pure healthcare for both, but sentiment tilts toward SYK’s premium positioning amid medtech recovery.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors SYK over DGX, based on stronger trend consistency, higher forecasted growth, and recent catalysts like the Amplitude acquisition. While DGX provides stability, SYK’s relative positioning suggests greater upside potential in the near term, though both warrant monitoring post-earnings.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DGX is a Buy and SYK is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DGX’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileSYK’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- DGX’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- SYK’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DGX’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SYK’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DGX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- SYK’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
DGX (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +7.63% price change this week, while SYK (@Medical/Nursing Services) price change was +8.09% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +8.88%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +11.83%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.31%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was +2.65%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.04%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.16%.
Reported Earning Dates
DGX is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
SYK is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+8.88% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
@Medical/Nursing Services (+2.65% weekly)The medical/nursing services includes companies that provide medical-related services such as ambulance services, dialysis centers, respiratory therapy, blood testing and rehabilitation services. DaVita Inc., Chemed Corporation and Guardant Health, Inc. are examples of companies in this industry.
| DGX | SYK | DGX / SYK | |
| Capitalization | 23.2B | 128B | 18% |
| EBITDA | 2.22B | 6.44B | 35% |
| Gain YTD | 22.030 | -5.081 | -434% |
| P/E Ratio | 21.39 | 35.27 | 61% |
| Revenue | 11.3B | 25.3B | 45% |
| Total Cash | 393M | 2.97B | 13% |
| Total Debt | 6.41B | 14.7B | 44% |
DGX | SYK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 78 | 17 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 4 Undervalued | 9 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 24 | 58 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 60 | 57 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 29 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 81 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
DGX's Valuation (4) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as SYK (9) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that DGX’s stock grew similarly to SYK’s over the last 12 months.
DGX's Profit vs Risk Rating (24) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is somewhat better than the same rating for SYK (58) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that DGX’s stock grew somewhat faster than SYK’s over the last 12 months.
SYK's SMR Rating (57) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as DGX (60) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that SYK’s stock grew similarly to DGX’s over the last 12 months.
DGX's Price Growth Rating (29) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as SYK (59) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that DGX’s stock grew similarly to SYK’s over the last 12 months.
DGX's P/E Growth Rating (58) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as SYK (81) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that DGX’s stock grew similarly to SYK’s over the last 12 months.
| DGX | SYK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 59% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 48% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 54% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 46% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 45% | 17 days ago 53% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 5 days ago 51% |
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DGX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DGX has been closely correlated with LH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 72% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DGX jumps, then LH could also see price increases.
SYK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SYK has been loosely correlated with ISRG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if SYK jumps, then ISRG could also see price increases.