Consolidated Planning Corp Increases Stock Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Consolidated Planning Corp raised its holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 2.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 16,072 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after buying an additional 329 shares during the quarter. Consolidated Planning Corp’s holdings in STERIS were worth $3,304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in STE. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in STERIS in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $150,000. Creative Planning raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 1.4% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 9,019 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $2,187,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the third quarter worth $28,251,000. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of STERIS by 2.6% during the third quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 61,860 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $14,051,000 after buying an additional 1,558 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in shares of STERIS by 54.8% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 291 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on STE shares. 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. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, November 8th. StockNews.com lowered shares of STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Stephens restated 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 given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, STERIS has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.75.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.32, for a total transaction of $365,532.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at $2,471,363.04. This represents a 12.88 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.14% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Stock Down 2.0 %

STE stock opened at $219.00 on Thursday. STERIS plc has a one year low of $197.82 and a one year high of $248.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 2.13. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $212.81 and its 200 day moving average is $224.37. The firm has a market cap of $21.62 billion, a PE ratio of 46.50 and a beta of 0.84.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last posted its earnings results 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, research analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 20th. STERIS’s payout ratio is 48.41%.

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.