STERIS (NYSE:STE) Receives Market Outperform Rating from JMP Securities

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "market outperform" rating reiterated by equities researchers at JMP Securities in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $265.00 price target on the medical equipment provider's stock. JMP Securities' price objective indicates a potential upside of 18.22% from the stock's previous close.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on STE. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com lowered STERIS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Friday, November 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, STERIS has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.75.

STERIS Stock Performance

STE traded up $0.93 during trading on Thursday, hitting $224.16. The stock had a trading volume of 430,094 shares, compared to its average volume of 509,876. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The firm has a market cap of $22.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.59 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $212.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $224.46. STERIS has a one year low of $197.82 and a one year high of $248.24.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.33 by ($0.01). STERIS had a net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. As a group, research analysts predict that STERIS will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,471,363.04. This represents a 12.88 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of STERIS

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Hilton Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of STERIS by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Hilton Capital Management LLC now owns 6,887 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $1,416,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. LBP AM SA boosted its stake in shares of STERIS by 151.3% during the fourth quarter. LBP AM SA now owns 26,519 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $5,451,000 after purchasing an additional 15,965 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of STERIS by 41.9% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,117 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $230,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natural Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of STERIS in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $334,000. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company's stock.

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.