STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eight research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $263.83.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on STE shares. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Monday, April 7th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of STERIS from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, June 14th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of STERIS from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Finally, JMP Securities lifted their target price on shares of STERIS from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th.

STERIS Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:STE opened at $235.46 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.98 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.96. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $234.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $223.39. STERIS has a 52-week low of $200.98 and a 52-week high of $252.79.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 14th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $1.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.47 billion. STERIS had a net margin of 11.26% and a return on equity of 14.21%. The firm’s revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.58 earnings per share. Analysts expect that STERIS will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 10th. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.77%.

Insider Transactions at STERIS

In other STERIS news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 12,828 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.08, for a total value of $3,208,026.24. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at $2,843,909.76. The trade was a 53.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Daniel A. Carestio sold 17,626 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.56, for a total transaction of $4,275,362.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 51,385 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,463,945.60. The trade was a 25.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.07% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On STERIS

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in STE. Voya Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 28,746 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $6,515,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 10,336 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $2,343,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in STERIS during the first quarter valued at $12,466,000. Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership purchased a new stake in STERIS during the first quarter valued at $25,958,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in STERIS by 416.0% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 129 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About STERIS

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.