EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows (in millions, except per share data):

	2020		2019		2018
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	$	1,431	$	838	$	736
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—		20		—
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics' common stockholders	$	1,431	$	858	$	736
Income from continuing operations	$	1,431	$	838	$	736
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	6		3		3
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – basic and diluted	$	1,425	$	835	$	733
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	134		134		136
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and performance share units	2		2		3
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	136		136		139
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders - basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	10.62	$	6.21	$	5.39
Income from discontinued operations	—		0.15		—
Net income	$	10.62	$	6.36	$	5.39
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	10.47	$	6.13	$	5.29
Income from discontinued operations	—		0.15		—
Net income	$	10.47	$	6.28	$	5.29

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect:

	2020	2019	2018
Stock options and performance share units	1	3	2