Sustainable Growth Advisers LP Sells 55,981 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Sustainable Growth Advisers LP trimmed its position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 3.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,383,218 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 55,981 shares during the quarter. STERIS comprises about 1.4% of Sustainable Growth Advisers LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP owned about 1.40% of STERIS worth $284,334,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Human Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its stake 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 last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its stake 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 last quarter. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its stake 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 last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

STERIS Trading Down 0.9 %

STE opened at $222.39 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.22 and a beta of 0.92. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $218.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $222.64. STERIS plc has a one year low of $197.82 and a one year high of $248.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 2.13.

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

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is 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 is 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

STERIS Company 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.