On February 4, 2021 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a 10.7% increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.56 to $0.62 per share (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, FEB 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234574656]). The increase is effective with the dividend payable on April 21, 2021 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on April 7, 2021. With the increase, the annual dividend will be $2.48 per share. This dividend increase is the Company’s tenth since 2011.

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Additionally, the Board of Directors has increased the Company’s share repurchase authorization by $1 billion. The increased authority is in addition to the $917 million that was available as of December 31, 2020 under the Company’s share repurchase program. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 2.0 million shares of its common stock for $250 million.

Quest will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, using the passcode: "7895081." The earnings release and live webcast will be posted on www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor. The Company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.