United Capital Financial Advisors LLC Sells 25,759 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

United Capital Financial Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 36.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 44,092 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 25,759 shares during the period. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in STERIS were worth $9,063,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Avalon Trust Co bought a new stake in STERIS in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Human Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised 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 acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its stake in STERIS by 65.5% during the 4th quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted 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 worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on STE. Needham & Company LLC restated a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Piper Sandler raised their price target 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 reiterated a "market outperform" rating and issued a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One equities research 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, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $258.75.

STERIS Stock Down 1.7 %

NYSE STE traded down $3.80 during trading on Monday, hitting $218.43. The stock had a trading volume of 47,312 shares, compared to its average volume of 525,872. The company has a market capitalization of $21.46 billion, a PE ratio of 46.38 and a beta of 0.87. STERIS plc has a 12 month low of $198.13 and a 12 month high of $248.24. The company's 50-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 (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last announced 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%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

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 of this dividend was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.04%. 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.