Boston Financial Mangement LLC Reduces Stock Position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Boston Financial Mangement LLC decreased its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 199,454 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 3,528 shares during the quarter. STERIS makes up 1.2% of Boston Financial Mangement LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding. Boston Financial Mangement LLC owned approximately 0.20% of STERIS worth $41,000,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bleakley Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of STERIS by 8.7% during the third quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 1,680 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $407,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in STERIS by 171.2% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 838,569 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $191,370,000 after acquiring an additional 529,308 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. increased its position in shares of STERIS by 24.6% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 13,410 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $3,252,000 after purchasing an additional 2,647 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 30.8% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 10,970 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $2,275,000 after purchasing an additional 2,583 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its position in shares of STERIS by 52.0% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 12,071 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $2,928,000 after purchasing an additional 4,132 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.69% of the company's stock.

STERIS Stock Performance

Shares of STERIS stock traded down $0.36 on Friday, hitting $220.43. The stock had a trading volume of 412,247 shares, compared to its average volume of 474,275. The stock has a market cap of $21.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.80 and a beta of 0.84. 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 52-week low of $197.82 and a 52-week high of $248.24. The company's 50 day moving average price is $213.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $223.64.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. On average, research analysts anticipate that STERIS plc 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. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.03%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on STE shares. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, November 8th. JMP Securities reiterated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com downgraded STERIS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price objective 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $258.75.

Insider Buying and Selling at STERIS

In other news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.32, for a total value of $365,532.24. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,471,363.04. This trade represents a 12.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.14% of the company's stock.

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.