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Quest Diagnostics Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results

07/24/7

LYNDHURST, N.J., July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced that for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, income from continuing operations was $142 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to $156 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2006. The second quarter of 2007 includes the results of AmeriPath, Inc., which was acquired on May 31, 2007. Second quarter 2006 results include a charge of $0.04 per share associated with the write-down of an investment.

Second quarter revenues were $1.6 billion, an increase of 3.7% compared to the prior-year level. The acquisition of AmeriPath increased consolidated revenues by 4.4%. Clinical testing revenues increased by 2.1%. Clinical testing volume, measured by the number of requisitions, decreased 6.0%, and revenue per requisition increased 8.6%. The acquisition of AmeriPath increased clinical testing volume by 1.8% and revenue per requisition by 3.1%. The change in status with UnitedHealthcare reduced consolidated revenues by approximately 4.4% and testing volume by approximately 7%.

"We made significant progress in the second quarter, and our business is getting stronger. We renewed a number of important managed care agreements, improved the efficiency of our operations, and acquired AmeriPath, becoming the premier cancer diagnostics company," said Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we have identified opportunities to further reduce costs by $500 million over the next two years, which will allow us to continue to expand margins and invest in growth in a highly competitive environment."

For the second quarter, operating income was $272 million, or 16.6% of revenues, compared to $297 million, or 18.8% of revenues in 2006. This reflects a significant improvement from the first quarter of 2007 in which operating income as a percentage of revenues was 13.2%. This improvement was principally a result of actions taken to reduce costs, and higher revenue per requisition.

Bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues was 4.3% of revenues, compared to 4.4% in the first quarter. Days sales outstanding were 51 days, compared to 47 days at the end of the first quarter. The acquisition of AmeriPath increased bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues by 0.3% and days sales outstanding by 4 days. Cash flow from operations was $129 million, and was reduced by $57 million of fees and other expenses paid in connection with the acquisition of AmeriPath. This compares to $170 million in 2006. During the quarter, the company made capital expenditures of $49 million.

First Half Performance

For the first six months of 2007, income from continuing operations was $249 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared to $311 million, or $1.55 per diluted share in the first half of 2006. Revenues were $3.2 billion, an increase of 1.0% compared to the prior-year level. The acquisition of AmeriPath increased consolidated revenues by 2.2%. The change in status with UnitedHealthcare reduced consolidated revenues by approximately 4.6%.

Operating income for the first half was $473 million, or 14.9% of revenues, compared to $556 million, or 17.7% of revenues in 2006. The decrease was principally due to the change in status with UnitedHealthcare. Cash from operations was $280 million compared to $411 million in 2006. During the first half of 2007, the company repurchased $105 million of its common stock and made capital expenditures of $89 million.

Outlook for 2007

For the full year 2007 the company currently expects results from continuing operations as follows: adjusted earnings per diluted share of between $2.80 and $2.95; revenues of $6.6 billion to $6.7 billion, with nearly $500 million from AmeriPath; and operating income of approximately 16% of revenues. Over the same period, the company expects cash from operations to approximate $800 million and capital expenditures of between $210 million and $220 million. These estimates exclude $0.04 per share in total first quarter charges associated with workforce reductions and the expense of in-process research and development, and are before charges related to potential additional restructuring activities.

Quest Diagnostics will hold its second quarter conference call on July 24, 2007 at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. A simulcast of the call and a replay are available via the Internet at: www.questdiagnostics.com and registered analysts may access the call at: www.streetevents.com. In addition, a replay of the call will be available from 11:30 A.M. on July 24 through 11 P.M. on August 21, 2007 to investors in the U.S. by dialing 866-421-0437. Investors outside the U.S. may dial 203-369-0799. No password is required for either number.

Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at: www.questdiagnostics.com.

The statements in this press release, which are not historical facts or information, may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2006 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.


               Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                    Consolidated Statements of Operations
          For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
             (in millions, except per share and percentage data)
                                 (unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                  June 30,
                                2007         2006       2007        2006

    Net revenues              $1,641.2    $1,583.1    $3,167.4    $3,136.2

    Operating costs and expenses:
    Cost of services             968.7       926.7     1,900.5     1,842.9
    Selling, general and
     administrative              395.1       357.9       779.9       706.4
    Amortization of
     intangible assets             5.4         2.3         9.9         4.6
    Other operating (income)
     expense, net                 (0.4)       (1.1)        3.8        26.3
        Total operating costs
         and expenses          1,368.8     1,285.8     2,694.1     2,580.2

    Operating income             272.4       297.3       473.3       556.0


    Other income (expense):
    Interest expense, net        (39.2)      (22.5)      (65.7)      (46.0)
    Minority share of income      (6.4)       (5.9)      (12.5)      (11.3)
    Equity earnings in
     unconsolidated
     joint ventures                6.6         6.6        13.5        14.6
    Other income (expense), net    0.4       (12.7)        2.3         4.8
        Total non-operating
         expenses, net           (38.6)      (34.5)      (62.4)      (37.9)

    Income from continuing
     operations before taxes     233.8       262.8       410.9       518.1
    Income tax expense            91.9       106.8       161.5       207.5
    Income from continuing
     operations                  141.9       156.0       249.4       310.6
    Loss from discontinued
     operations, net of taxes     (0.6)      (24.0)       (2.2)      (34.0)
    Net income                  $141.3      $132.0      $247.2      $276.6


    Earnings per common share
     - basic:
    Income from continuing
     operations                  $0.74       $0.79       $1.29       $1.57
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                      -       (0.12)      (0.01)      (0.17)
    Net income                   $0.74       $0.67       $1.28       $1.40


    Earnings per common share - diluted:
    Income from continuing
     operations                  $0.73       $0.78       $1.28       $1.55
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                      -       (0.12)      (0.01)      (0.17)
    Net income                   $0.73       $0.66       $1.27       $1.38


    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding:
    Basic                        192.7       198.0       193.0       198.2
    Diluted                      194.5       200.6       194.9       200.8


    Operating income as a
     percentage of net
     revenues                     16.6%       18.8%       14.9%       17.7%



               Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                     June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
                     (in millions, except per share data)


                                                     June 30,     December 31,
                                                       2007           2006
                                                    (unaudited)
    Assets
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                         $122.3         $149.6
    Accounts receivable, net                           973.1          774.4
    Inventories                                         96.8           78.6
    Deferred income taxes                              135.8          120.5
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets           87.2           67.9
      Total current assets                           1,415.2        1,191.0
    Property, plant and equipment, net                 888.9          752.4
    Goodwill, net                                    5,128.0        3,391.0
    Intangible assets, net                             901.5          193.4
    Other assets                                       160.4          133.7
    Total assets                                    $8,494.0       $5,661.5


    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses             $792.5         $834.0
    Short-term borrowings and current portion
     of long-term debt                                 367.1          316.9
      Total current liabilities                      1,159.6        1,150.9
    Long-term debt                                   3,545.0        1,239.1
    Other liabilities                                  600.1          252.3
    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
     600 shares authorized; 213.7 and 213.8 shares
     issued at June 30, 2007 and
     December 31, 2006, respectively                     2.1            2.1
    Additional paid-in capital                       2,197.0        2,185.1
    Retained earnings                                2,003.8        1,800.3
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)        5.1           (0.1)
    Treasury stock, at cost; 20.8 and 19.8 shares
     at June 30, 2007 and
     December 31, 2006, respectively                (1,018.7)        (968.2)
      Total stockholders' equity                     3,189.3        3,019.2
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity      $8,494.0       $5,661.5




               Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Subsidiaries
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
               For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
                                (in millions)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                        Six Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
                                                       2007           2006
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                        $247.2         $276.6

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to
     net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                      105.2           98.6
    Provision for doubtful accounts                    138.7          123.8
    Stock-based compensation expense                    31.6           39.5
    Provision for restructuring and other
     special charges                                       -           53.0
    Deferred income tax benefit                          7.7          (40.2)
    Minority share of income                            12.5           11.3
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based
     compensation arrangements                          (5.6)         (25.5)
    Other, net                                           0.5           (1.9)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                             (185.5)        (191.1)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses            (68.2)          28.5
      Integration, settlement and other
       special charges                                  (5.2)          (0.4)
      Income taxes payable                               5.7           49.5
      Other assets and liabilities, net                 (4.3)         (10.6)
    Net cash provided by operating activities          280.3          411.1

    Cash flows from investing activities:
    Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (1,479.4)          (1.0)
    Capital expenditures                               (89.3)         (88.1)
    (Increase) decrease in investments
     and other assets                                   (6.5)          13.4
    Net cash used in investing activities           (1,575.2)         (75.7)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
    Repayments of debt                              (2,247.9)         (60.1)
    Proceeds from borrowings                         3,671.0              -
    Decrease in book overdrafts                        (18.4)         (13.7)
    Purchases of treasury stock                       (105.0)        (254.0)
    Exercise of stock options                           27.3           73.3
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based
     compensation arrangements                           5.6           25.5

    Dividends paid                                     (38.7)         (37.6)
    Distributions to minority partners                  (9.3)          (9.5)
    Financing costs paid                               (17.0)          (0.7)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
     financing activities                            1,267.6         (276.8)

    Net change in cash and cash equivalents            (27.3)          58.6

    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     149.6           92.1

    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period          $122.3         $150.7

    Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                           $79.1          $47.5
    Income taxes                                      $140.2         $182.9



    Notes to Financial Tables
    (1) In April 2006, the Company decided to discontinue the operations of a
        test kit manufacturing subsidiary, NID.  During the third quarter of
        2006, the Company completed its wind down of NID and classified the
        operations of NID as discontinued operations.  The accompanying
        consolidated statements of operations and related disclosures have
        been prepared to report the results of NID as discontinued operations.
    (2) The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as
        follows:


                                Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                June 30,
                               2007        2006        2007         2006
                                  (in millions, except per share data)

    Income from continuing
     operations               $141.9      $156.0      $249.4       $310.6
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                 (0.6)      (24.0)       (2.2)       (34.0)
    Net income available to
     common stockholders -
     basic and diluted        $141.3      $132.0      $247.2       $276.6


    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
     - basic                   192.7       198.0       193.0        198.2

    Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options, restricted
     common shares and
     performance share units     1.8         2.6         1.9          2.6

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
     - diluted                 194.5       200.6       194.9        200.8


    Earnings per common share
     - basic:
    Income from continuing
     operations                $0.74       $0.79       $1.29        $1.57
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                    -       (0.12)      (0.01)       (0.17)
    Net income                 $0.74       $0.67       $1.28        $1.40

    Earnings per common
     share - diluted:
    Income from continuing
     operations                $0.73       $0.78       $1.28        $1.55
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                    -       (0.12)      (0.01)       (0.17)
    Net income                 $0.73       $0.66       $1.27        $1.38


    (3) During 2007, the Company initiated plans to adjust its cost structure
        to match its new volume levels.  Costs recorded for workforce
        reductions amounted to $3.5 million and $14.2 million for the three
        and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. Of these costs, $2.6
        million and $6.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30,
        2007, respectively, were included in cost of services and $0.9 million
        and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007,
        respectively, were included in selling, general and administrative
        expenses.
    (4) Other operating (income) expense, net represents miscellaneous income
        and expense items related to operating activities including gains and
        losses associated with the disposal of operating assets and provisions
        for restructurings and other special charges.  For the six months
        ended June 30, 2007, other operating (income) expense, net includes a
        $4.0 million charge related to in-process research and development
        expense associated with HemoCue, which the Company acquired on January
        31, 2007.
        During the first quarter of 2006, the Company finalized its plan
        related to the integration of LabOne, Inc., and recorded a charge of
        $20.7 million associated with executing the integration plan.  The
        $20.7 million charge relates to actions that impact Quest Diagnostics'
        employees and operations and is comprised principally of employee
        severance costs.  In addition, during the first quarter of 2006, the
        Company recorded a $4.1 million charge related to consolidating its
        operations in California into a new facility.  The costs were
        comprised primarily of employee severance costs and the write-off of
        certain operating assets.
    (5) Other income (expense), net represents miscellaneous income and
        expense items related to non-operating activities such as gains and
        losses associated with investments and other non-operating assets.
        For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, other income
        (expense), net includes a second quarter charge of $12.3 million
        associated with the write-down of an investment.  For the six months
        ended June 30, 2006, other income (expense), net includes a first
        quarter gain of $15.8 million on the sale of an investment.
    (6) During the six months ended ending June 30, 2007, the Company
        repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares of its common stock at an
        average price of $50.98 per share for $105 million.  For the three and
        six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company reissued 0.4 million and
        1.1 million shares, respectively, for employee benefit plans.  Since
        the inception of the share repurchase program in May 2003, the Company
        has repurchased 43.4 million shares of its common stock at an average
        price of $45.18 for $2.0 billion.  At June 30, 2007, $145 million of
        the share repurchase authorizations remained available.
    (7) The following table summarizes the approximate impact of various
        items on year-over-year comparisons for certain revenue metrics
        reported for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, and is
        included for informational purposes only:


                                          Continuing Operations
                           Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                             June 30, 2007            June 30, 2007
                   Consolidated        Revenue Consolidated         Revenue
                      Revenue  Volume    per     Revenue   Volume    per
                      Growth   Growth Requisition Growth   Growth Requisition

    Reported:           3.7%     (6.0)%   8.6%     1.0%     (6.6)%    6.6%

    Impact on comparisons
     to prior year of:
    Contract change    (4.4)%    (6.9)%   2.0%    (4.6)%    (6.5)%    1.5%
    Acquisitions:
      AmeriPath         4.4%      1.8%    3.1%     2.2%      0.9%     1.6%
      All Other         2.3%      0.2%    0.4%     2.0%      0.2%     0.4%


    (8)   Adjusted diluted earnings per common share represents management's
        estimate of diluted earnings per common share from continuing
        operations for the full year 2007, before charges associated with
        workforce reductions and in-process research and development.
        Adjusted diluted earnings per common share is presented because
        management believes it is a useful adjunct to estimated diluted
        earnings per common share and other measurements under accounting
        principles generally accepted in the United States since it is a
        meaningful measure of the Company's ongoing operating performance and
        is on a basis consistent with previous estimates of diluted earnings
        per common share.  Adjusted diluted earnings per common share is not a
        measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally
        accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an
        alternative to estimated diluted earnings per common share.  The
        following table reconciles estimated diluted earnings per common share
        to estimated adjusted  diluted earnings per common share:


                                                         Twelve Months
                                                             Ended
                                                          December 31,
                                                              2007

    Estimated diluted earnings per common share           $2.76 - $2.91

    Add:
    Charges associated with workforce reductions                   0.03
    Charge associated with in-process
     research & development                                        0.01

    Estimated adjusted diluted
     earnings per common share                            $2.80 - $2.95


    (9) The Company has identified opportunities to reduce annual costs by
        $500 million and expects to achieve this annual rate by the end of
        2009.  As the detailed plans to implement these opportunities are
        approved and executed, it will result in recording charges associated
        with the implementation.  These charges may be material to the results
        of operations and cash flows in the periods recorded.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

CONTACT: Investors, Laure Park, +1-201-393-5030, or Media, Gary Samuels,
+1-201-393-5700, both for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com

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