Free cash flow
Quest Diagnostics Free cash flow decreased by 46.6% to $164.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 16.8%, from $197.00M to $164.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -7.2% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $376.00M | $472.00M | $337.00M | $417.00M | $326.00M | $384.00M | $187.00M | -$33.00M | $340.00M | $102.00M | $455.00M | $50.00M | $268.00M | $250.00M | $341.00M | $197.00M | $436.00M | $419.00M | $307.00M | $164.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +25.5% | -28.6% | +23.7% | -21.8% | +17.8% | -51.3% | -117.6% | >999% | -70.0% | +346.1% | -89.0% | +436.0% | -6.7% | +36.4% | -42.2% | +121.3% | -3.9% | -26.7% | -46.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -13.3% | -18.6% | -44.5% | -107.9% | +4.3% | -73.4% | +143.3% | +251.5% | -21.2% | +145.1% | -25.1% | +294.0% | +62.7% | +67.6% | -10.0% | -16.8% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Quest Diagnostics's free cash flow?
- Quest Diagnostics (DGX) reported free cash flow of $164.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Quest Diagnostics's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Quest Diagnostics's free cash flow decreased by 16.8% year-over-year, from $197.00M to $164.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Quest Diagnostics's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Quest Diagnostics's free cash flow has grown at a -7.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.83B to $1.36B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.