STERIS (NYSE:STE) Earns Overweight Rating from Stephens

Stephens restated their overweight rating on shares of STERIS (NYSE:STE - Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. Stephens currently has a $240.00 price target on the medical equipment provider's stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Monday, November 18th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of STERIS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $258.75.

STERIS Trading Up 0.4 %

STE stock traded up $0.93 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $224.16. The company had a trading volume of 430,075 shares, compared to its average volume of 508,272. The company has a market capitalization of $22.13 billion, a PE ratio of 47.59 and a beta of 0.84. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $212.57 and a 200 day moving average of $224.46. STERIS has a 12 month low of $197.82 and a 12 month high of $248.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.55.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share 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%. On average, equities analysts predict that STERIS will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders 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 1.02%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.41%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other STERIS news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at $2,471,363.04. The trade was a 12.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of STERIS

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in STERIS in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its position in STERIS by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in shares of STERIS by 65.5% in the 4th 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.69% 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.