As previously reported, Morgan Stanley analyst Ricky Goldwasser upgraded Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to Overweight from Equal Weight, stating that UnitedHealth's (UNH) and Aetna's (AET) decisions to open up lab contracts and establish a long-term strategic partnership with both Quest and LabCorp (LH) signals a more disciplined pricing environment for the forseeable future and raises his confidence in Quest delivering earnings growth at the high end of its 3%-5% long-term goal. Goldwasser raised his price target on Quest shares to $120 from $103.

Invitae (NVTA) announced that Labcorp (LH) has been selected as the winning bidder in the Company's auction in its sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Labcorp will acquire substantially all of the Company's assets on a going concern basis for $239 million in cash consideration, plus other non-cash consideration. The hearing to approve the sale is currently scheduled for May 6, 2024. With Court approval, as well as customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, Labcorp and Invitae anticipate completing the sale process in the third quarter of 2024.

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Notable companies reporting before tomorrow's open, with earnings consensus, include Merck (MRK), consensus $1.87... Caterpillar (CAT), consensus $5.14... Comcast (CMSCA), consensus 99c... Honeywell (HON), consensus $2.17... Bristol-Myers (BMY), consensus ($4.44)... Altria (MO), consensus $1.15... Keurig Dr. Pepper (KDP), consensus 35c... GE Vernova (GEV), consensus (37c)... Royal Caribbean (RCL), consensus $1.33... Tractor Supply (TSCO), consensus $1.72... Mobileye (MBLY), consensus (6c)... Textron (TXT), consensus $1.23... LabCorp (LH), consensus $3.48... Southwest Airlines (LUV), consensus (34c)... American Airlines (AAL), consensus (29c)... Harley-Davidson (HOG), consensus $1.51.

UBS raised the firm's price target on Quest Diagnostics to $146 from $139 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. UBS is more confident that Quest can hit its margin expansion story following the Q2 print and the firm's call with management, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Labor cost trends seem to have already peaked and Covid revenues should no longer be a headwind starting 2H, while above market base volume growth continues, the firm notes.

Citi raised the firm's price target on Quest Diagnostics to $145 from $135 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares post the Q1 report. The company increased the midpoint of its fiscal 2024 revenue target and management anticipates the rest of fiscal year to follow regular seasonality on a revenue and margin basis with a step-up into Q2, the analyst tells investors in a research note.

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