J.Safra Asset Management Corp Raises Stock Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

J.Safra Asset Management Corp grew its stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 208.7% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 460 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after buying an additional 311 shares during the period. J.Safra Asset Management Corp’s holdings in STERIS were worth $94,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in STERIS by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 70,401 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $14,472,000 after buying an additional 586 shares during the last quarter. Alta Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 5.8% in the fourth quarter. Alta Capital Management LLC now owns 1,225 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 569,837 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $117,136,000 after buying an additional 18,384 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in STERIS by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 29,925 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $6,151,000 after purchasing an additional 683 shares during the period. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in STERIS by 8.9% during the 4th quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,032 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Stock Performance

NYSE STE opened at $227.51 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $215.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $222.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.30 and a beta of 0.84. STERIS plc has a fifty-two week low of $197.82 and a fifty-two week high of $248.24. 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) last released its quarterly earnings data 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%. On average, equities analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.00%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on STE shares. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Piper Sandler lifted 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. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, STERIS currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.75.

STERIS 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.