STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Shares Sold by Impax Asset Management Group plc

Impax Asset Management Group plc decreased its holdings in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 14.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 951,758 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 162,826 shares during the quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc owned approximately 0.96% of STERIS worth $194,753,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Human Investing LLC bought a new position in STERIS during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its position in 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 buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in STERIS by 182.7% in the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of STERIS during the third quarter valued at $67,000. Institutional investors own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:STE opened at $220.43 on Monday. STERIS plc has a twelve month low of $197.82 and a twelve month high of $248.24. 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 market cap of $21.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.80 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a 50 day moving average of $213.59 and a 200-day moving average of $223.33.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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, analysts anticipate that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 20th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, February 6th. StockNews.com cut STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Piper Sandler boosted 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 restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, November 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, STERIS presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.75.

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.