Form 4: Quest Diagnostics CFO Samad Acquires Shares

Quest Diagnostics Executive Vice President and CFO Sam Samad acquired common stock through a performance award settlement and disposed of shares for tax withholding.

Summary

• Executive Vice President & CFO Sam Samad acquired 13,947 shares of Quest Diagnostics Inc. common stock on March 4, 2026.
• The acquisition was a settlement of a performance stock award approved in accordance with Rule 16b-3(d).
• The transaction price for the acquired shares was $204.86 per share.
• Concurrently, Samad disposed of 7,720 shares of common stock on March 4, 2026, at $204.86 per share to cover tax withholding obligations arising from the performance share award settlement.
• Following these transactions, Samad directly beneficially owns 33,268 shares of Quest Diagnostics common stock.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c).

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as it indicates an executive receiving equity compensation for performance, aligning their interests with shareholders, despite the necessary tax-related disposition.

Positives

• The acquisition of shares by a key executive (CFO) through a performance award indicates alignment of management's interests with shareholders.
• The performance stock award suggests the executive met specific performance criteria, reflecting positively on the company's operational achievements.

Negatives

• The disposition of 7,720 shares, while for tax purposes, reduces the executive's direct ownership slightly from the gross award.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transactions, particularly those involving performance-based awards, are common in the healthcare diagnostics industry as a means of executive compensation and alignment with company performance. This transaction reflects a standard practice for equity vesting.

Related Party Transactions

• The transaction involves the issuance of common stock by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated to its Executive Vice President & CFO, Sam Samad, as settlement of a performance stock award, which is a standard related-party compensation arrangement.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction demonstrates management's continued equity ownership and alignment with shareholder interests through performance-based compensation.
• Employees: Reflects standard executive compensation practices within the company.
• Management: Sam Samad's compensation package includes performance-based equity, incentivizing long-term company performance.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine executive compensation event (performance award vesting and tax withholding) and does not provide new fundamental information about Quest Diagnostics' operational performance or strategic direction that would warrant a change in investment recommendation. It confirms ongoing executive alignment but is not a catalyst for a 'buy' or 'sell' decision.

Keywords

Quest Diagnostics, DGX, Sam Samad, Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Award, CFO, Performance Shares, Equity Compensation, Rule 10b5-1