11,775 Shares in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Acquired by Fruth Investment Management

Fruth Investment Management purchased a new stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 11,775 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,420,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of STERIS during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division grew its stake in STERIS by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 3rd quarter valued at $67,000. Asset Dedication LLC raised its stake in shares of STERIS by 54.8% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 291 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter worth about $78,000. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the company'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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,471,363.04. This represents a 12.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.14% of the company's stock.

STERIS Stock Performance

STE traded down $2.31 on Friday, hitting $223.13. The company's stock had a trading volume of 682,890 shares, compared to its average volume of 513,142. STERIS plc has a 12 month low of $197.82 and a 12 month high of $248.24. The firm has a market cap of $22.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.37 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $212.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $224.56.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. Analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 20th. STERIS's payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on STE shares. Needham & Company LLC restated a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, November 8th. JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note 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. Finally, StockNews.com lowered STERIS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average 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.