STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the five brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $258.75.

STE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On STERIS

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STE. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $10,623,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in STERIS by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 9,399 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $1,932,000 after buying an additional 1,074 shares in the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in STERIS by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,184 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. GF Fund Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in STERIS during the fourth quarter worth $509,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its position in STERIS by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 46,200 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $9,497,000 after buying an additional 2,272 shares in the last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

STERIS Trading Down 0.9 %

NYSE STE opened at $222.39 on Friday. STERIS has a 52-week low of $197.82 and a 52-week high of $248.24. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $218.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $222.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.22 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) 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 research analysts expect that STERIS will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 20th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

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.