US Bancorp DE Lowers Stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

US Bancorp DE lowered its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 5.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,153 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 1,371 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE’s holdings in STERIS were worth $5,170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of STERIS during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of STERIS during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $67,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Stock Performance

Shares of STE stock opened at $227.51 on Thursday. STERIS plc has a 52 week low of $197.82 and a 52 week high of $248.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $215.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $222.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.35 billion, a PE ratio of 48.30 and a beta of 0.84. 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 (NYSE:STE) last announced 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, research analysts predict that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on STE shares. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of 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 reissued a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a “market outperform” rating and issued a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.75.

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.