STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Shares Sold by Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC

Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC trimmed its holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 108,190 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 2,729 shares during the period. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC owned 0.11% of STERIS worth $22,240,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in STERIS in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in STERIS in the 3rd quarter valued at about $67,000. Asset Dedication LLC lifted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in STERIS in the 4th quarter valued at about $78,000. 94.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at STERIS

In related news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.32, for a total value of $365,532.24. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,471,363.04. This trade represents a 12.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

STERIS Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of STE stock opened at $219.54 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $21.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.61 and a beta of 0.84. STERIS plc has a 1-year low of $197.82 and a 1-year high of $248.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $212.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $224.30.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last announced 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%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 EPS for the current year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Friday, November 8th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.