OPK vs DGX

For growth investors, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) is the stronger pick with 11.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -14. 9% for OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK). Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) offers the better valuation at 21. 8x trailing P/E (17. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK) a "Buy" — based on 13 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) delivered a total return of +47.

7%, compared to -70. 5% for OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DGX returned +181. 3% versus OPK's -89. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

07β versus OPKO Health, Inc. 's 1. 25β — meaning OPK is approximately 1606% more volatile than DGX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 34% versus 95% for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) is pulling ahead at 11.

8% versus -14. 9% for OPKO Health, Inc. (OPK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated grew EPS 13. 8% year-over-year, compared to -291. 1% for OPKO Health, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, DGX leads at 3. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) is the more profitable company, earning 9.

0% net margin versus -37. 2% for OPKO Health, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DGX leads at 14. 5% versus -36. 1% for OPK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DGX leads at 31. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for OPK: 156.

2% to $2. 87.

In this comparison, DGX (1.

6% yield) pays a dividend. OPK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

07), 1. 6% yield, +181. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (DGX: +181. 3%, OPK: -89. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

DGX pays a dividend while OPK does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.