Sterling Capital Management LLC Buys 2,084 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 55.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,843 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after buying an additional 2,084 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC's holdings in STERIS were worth $1,201,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of STE. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Human Investing LLC acquired a new position in STERIS during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in STERIS by 182.7% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on STE shares. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. JMP Securities reiterated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Monday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.75.

STERIS Stock Performance

STERIS stock traded down $2.66 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $219.57. The company's stock had a trading volume of 29,686 shares, compared to its average volume of 525,808. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $222.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $218.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 2.13. STERIS plc has a 12-month low of $198.13 and a 12-month high of $248.24. The company has a market capitalization of $21.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.69 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.04%. STERIS's payout ratio is currently 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.