STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Shares Purchased by DnB Asset Management AS

DnB Asset Management AS lifted its holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 6.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,216 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,114 shares during the period. DnB Asset Management AS’s holdings in STERIS were worth $3,539,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in STE. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of STERIS in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of STERIS by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its position in STERIS by 65.5% during the 4th quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in STERIS by 182.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:STE opened at $227.14 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $22.32 billion, a PE ratio of 48.22 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $222.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $221.01. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. STERIS plc has a 12-month low of $197.82 and a 12-month high of $248.24.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.33 by ($0.01). STERIS had a return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 8.66%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 20th were given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.00%. STERIS’s payout ratio is 48.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $258.75.

About STERIS

STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences, and Dental. The Healthcare segment offers cleaning chemistries and sterility assurance products; automated endoscope reprocessing system and tracking products; endoscopy accessories, washers, sterilizers, and other pieces of capital equipment for the operation of a sterile processing department; and equipment used directly in the operating room, including surgical tables, lights, and connectivity solutions, as well as equipment management services.