Swiss National Bank Sells 14,800 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Swiss National Bank lowered its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 5.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 278,560 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 14,800 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in STERIS were worth $57,261,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Human Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its position in STERIS by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its stake in STERIS by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted 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 buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of STERIS in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $67,000. 94.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

STERIS Stock Up 2.1 %

STE opened at $227.04 on Friday. STERIS plc has a 12 month low of $197.82 and a 12 month high of $248.24. The company has a market cap of $22.31 billion, a PE ratio of 48.20 and a beta of 0.92. 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 company has a 50 day moving average of $219.17 and a 200 day moving average of $222.48.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last released 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 net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on STE. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and set 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 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 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.