Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB Sells 1,530 Shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB decreased its holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) by 3.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 39,490 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock after selling 1,530 shares during the quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB’s holdings in STERIS were worth $8,118,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. West Coast Financial LLC increased its holdings in STERIS by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. West Coast Financial LLC now owns 1,640 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $398,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in STERIS by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,534 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $521,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in STERIS by 1.6% in the third quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,153 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $765,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Park Edge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of STERIS by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Park Edge Advisors LLC now owns 4,662 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $958,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division increased its position 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 valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.69% of the company’s stock.

STERIS Price Performance

Shares of STE opened at $223.13 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $212.49 and its 200-day moving average is $224.60. 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 has a market capitalization of $22.03 billion, a PE ratio of 47.37 and a beta of 0.84. STERIS plc has a fifty-two week low of $197.82 and a fifty-two week high of $248.24.

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

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 20th. STERIS’s payout ratio is 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com downgraded STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and set a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $240.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, STERIS currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.75.

Insider Activity

In other STERIS news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 1,682 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.32, for a total transaction of $365,532.24. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares in the company, valued at $2,471,363.04. This represents a 12.88 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.