Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Takes Position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC purchased a new position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,329 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $273,000.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of STERIS by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,534 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $521,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Park Edge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in STERIS by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Park Edge Advisors LLC now owns 4,662 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $958,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI increased its position in STERIS by 5.9% in the fourth quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 975 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $201,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of STERIS by 5.7% in the fourth quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,118 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Finally, Sage Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in shares of STERIS by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Sage Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,537 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Stock Performance

STERIS stock opened at $224.71 on Friday. STERIS plc has a 1-year low of $200.98 and a 1-year high of $248.24. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.08 billion, a PE ratio of 47.71 and a beta of 0.87. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $223.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $218.86.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share (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, analysts expect that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

STE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price 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.