United Capital Financial Advisors LLC Sells 25,759 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

United Capital Financial Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 36.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,092 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 25,759 shares during the quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC’s holdings in STERIS were worth $9,063,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in STERIS during the fourth quarter worth about $238,836,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at about $223,987,000. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of STERIS by 171.2% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 838,569 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $191,370,000 after purchasing an additional 529,308 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in STERIS by 4,534.6% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 219,032 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $45,024,000 after purchasing an additional 214,306 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Trust Walden Corp raised its holdings in STERIS by 400.4% during the 4th quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 224,741 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $46,198,000 after buying an additional 179,829 shares during the period. 94.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

STERIS Price Performance

NYSE:STE opened at $221.17 on Wednesday. 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 firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $222.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $219.41. STERIS plc has a 1-year low of $197.82 and a 1-year high of $248.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.73 billion, a PE ratio of 46.96 and a beta of 0.87.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share 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%. On average, research analysts expect that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on STE shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Monday, April 7th. 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. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, STERIS currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.75.

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.