Oct 22 (Reuters) - Laboratory operator Quest Diagnostics ( DGX )

beat Wall Street estimates for third-quarter profit and

revenue on Tuesday, helped by robust demand for its diagnostic

tests.

Demand for diagnostic checkups has grown in recent

quarters as more people, especially older adults, caught up on

surgeries deferred during the pandemic.

The company narrowed its 2024 adjusted profit forecast to

between $8.85 and $8.95 per share from its prior view of $8.80

to $9. Analysts on average estimated an adjusted annual profit

of $8.85, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Quest also expects a full-year revenue of $9.80 billion to

$9.85 billion, above its previous forecast of $9.50 billion to

$9.58 billion. Analysts expect an annual revenue of $9.67

billion.

The company said the updated outlook reflects the

contributions from its C$1.35 billion ($976.07 million) takeover

of Canada-based LifeLabs in August and the anticipated impact of

Hurricane Milton.

The hurricane, which hit Florida earlier this month and

killed at least 10 people, is expected to impact Quest's

fourth-quarter revenue by $15 million.

Quest has about a 100 patient service centers in the Tampa

region that is exposed to Hurricane Milton, UBS analyst Kevin

Caliendo pointed out in a note.

On the other hand, the company expects the LifeLabs deal to

generate roughly $710 million in annual revenue.

"Given the strength of our business and revenue from

acquisitions, we are well positioned to drive accelerated

revenue and earnings growth in 2025," CEO Jim Davis said.

The company's sales rose 8.4% to $2.49 billion in the third

quarter, beating estimates of $2.42 billion.

Excluding one-off items, Quest posted a profit of $2.30 per

share in the quarter ended Sept. 30, above estimates of $2.26.

($1 = 1.3831 Canadian dollars)