Marshall Wace LLP Has $35.11 Million Stock Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Marshall Wace LLP lessened its stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 67.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 170,787 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 347,615 shares during the quarter. Marshall Wace LLP owned approximately 0.17% of STERIS worth $35,107,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Avalon Trust Co bought a new position in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Human Investing LLC bought a new position in STERIS during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its position 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 buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division raised its stake in STERIS by 65.5% in the fourth quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of STERIS by 182.7% during the 4th 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 Price Performance

Shares of NYSE STE traded up $2.98 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $226.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 79,767 shares, compared to its average volume of 537,145. The company has a market cap of $22.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.16 and a beta of 0.87. STERIS plc has a fifty-two week low of $200.41 and a fifty-two week 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. The business's 50 day moving average price is $222.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $218.97.

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 return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 8.66%. On average, analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 20th were given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio is 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. 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, the stock currently has an average 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.