Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Reduces Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA trimmed its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 21.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,987,203 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 1,348,302 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 5.05% of STERIS worth $1,025,169,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of STERIS during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Human Investing LLC acquired a new position in STERIS during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of STERIS by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division raised 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 valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 182.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.69% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and set a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.75.

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STERIS Price Performance

Shares of NYSE STE traded down $8.25 during trading on Friday, hitting $213.16. 1,201,030 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 533,170. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.40. STERIS plc has a 1 year low of $197.82 and a 1 year high of $248.24. The company has a market cap of $20.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.26 and a beta of 0.87. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $223.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $220.57.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 8.66%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. STERIS's payout ratio is 48.41%.

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.