DnB Asset Management AS Acquires 1,114 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

DnB Asset Management AS increased its holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 6.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,216 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,114 shares during the quarter. DnB Asset Management AS's holdings in STERIS were worth $3,539,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in STE. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of STERIS by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,114,224 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $270,230,000 after purchasing an additional 96,336 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in STERIS by 2.5% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 43,253 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $10,491,000 after buying an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its holdings in shares of STERIS by 13.2% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 4,283 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $1,039,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Aureus Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of STERIS by 0.4% in the third quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC now owns 30,516 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $7,401,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atom Investors LP raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 37.8% during the third quarter. Atom Investors LP now owns 3,716 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $901,000 after acquiring an additional 1,020 shares during the period. 94.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Remove Ads

STERIS Stock Down 3.7 %

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

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 (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.33 by ($0.01). STERIS had a net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. Analysts anticipate that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share 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 issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

STE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and issued a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Piper Sandler raised their target price on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $240.00 price target 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 given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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.