Thematics Asset Management Has $38.97 Million Position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Thematics Asset Management lessened its position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 24.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 189,562 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 60,482 shares during the period. STERIS makes up about 1.7% of Thematics Asset Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Thematics Asset Management owned about 0.19% of STERIS worth $38,966,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of STERIS by 171.2% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 838,569 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $191,370,000 after buying an additional 529,308 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of STERIS by 30.8% in the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 10,970 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $2,275,000 after acquiring an additional 2,583 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the third quarter worth about $9,949,000. Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the fourth quarter worth about $260,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of STERIS by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,128 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

STERIS Price Performance

Shares of STE opened at $222.53 on Friday. 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 twelve month low of $198.13 and a twelve month high of $248.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.25 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a 50 day moving average of $222.48 and a 200-day moving average of $219.08.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.

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