New York State Common Retirement Fund Decreases Position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

New York State Common Retirement Fund trimmed its holdings in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 4.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 52,837 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 2,500 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned about 0.05% of STERIS worth $10,861,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of STE. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new position in STERIS in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its position in 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 during the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of STERIS by 182.7% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of STERIS in the third quarter worth approximately $67,000. 94.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

STERIS Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE STE opened at $223.41 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.95 billion, a PE ratio of 47.43 and a beta of 0.84. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $213.84 and its 200 day moving average is $223.22. STERIS plc has a twelve month low of $197.82 and a twelve month high of $248.24. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.33 by ($0.01). STERIS had a return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 8.66%. Research analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average 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.