HighTower Advisors LLC Cuts Stock Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

HighTower Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,511 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 62 shares during the quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC’s holdings in STERIS were worth $2,366,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Human Investing LLC bought a new stake in STERIS during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in STERIS by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in STERIS by 65.5% during the fourth 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 during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in STERIS by 182.7% during the fourth 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. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in STERIS during the third quarter worth $67,000. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

STERIS Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:STE opened at $220.34 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.65 billion, a PE ratio of 46.78 and a beta of 0.92. STERIS plc has a twelve month low of $197.82 and a twelve month high of $248.24. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $221.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $221.97.

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

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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 of this dividend was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.41%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on STE shares. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. 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 report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.75.

STERIS Profile

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.