Prudential Financial Inc. Grows Stock Position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Prudential Financial Inc. grew its stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 233.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 52,592 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after buying an additional 36,808 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. owned 0.05% of STERIS worth $10,811,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of STE. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new position in STERIS during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of STERIS by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in STERIS by 182.7% during the fourth 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

STE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and issued a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price objective on STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.75.

STERIS Stock Down 0.6 %

STE opened at $222.99 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $21.91 billion, a PE ratio of 47.34 and a beta of 0.92. STERIS plc has a twelve month low of $197.82 and a twelve month high of $248.24. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $222.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $221.48. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 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%. Sell-side analysts expect that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 20th were issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. STERIS’s payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

STERIS 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.