Kentucky Retirement Systems Sells 93 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Kentucky Retirement Systems lessened its stake in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 1.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,777 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 93 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in STERIS were worth $1,393,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of STE. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Human Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its holdings in shares of STERIS by 65.5% in the fourth quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 192 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of STERIS by 182.7% in the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of STERIS in the third quarter worth about $67,000. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

STERIS Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE STE opened at $220.43 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $213.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $223.33. STERIS plc has a 12 month low of $197.82 and a 12 month high of $248.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.66 billion, a PE ratio of 46.80 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

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

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 20th. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on STE. Piper Sandler upped their price objective 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 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com cut STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat, STERIS presently 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.