STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Shares Purchased by AQR Capital Management LLC

AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 70.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 30,329 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after buying an additional 12,511 shares during the quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC's holdings in STERIS were worth $6,234,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caden Capital Partners LP boosted its position in STERIS by 119.3% in the fourth quarter. Caden Capital Partners LP now owns 175,358 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $36,047,000 after buying an additional 95,379 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of STERIS by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,213,037 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $249,352,000 after acquiring an additional 83,601 shares during the period. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of STERIS by 255.6% during the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 985 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $202,000 after purchasing an additional 708 shares during the last quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in STERIS during the fourth quarter valued at $502,000. Finally, Snyder Capital Management L P boosted its holdings in STERIS by 15.7% in the fourth quarter. Snyder Capital Management L P now owns 148,384 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $30,502,000 after purchasing an additional 20,087 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.69% of the company's stock.

STERIS Price Performance

STE traded up $0.68 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $226.54. 511,899 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 536,534. STERIS plc has a 52-week low of $200.98 and a 52-week high of $248.24. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $223.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $218.85. 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 company has a market capitalization of $22.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.10 and a beta of 0.96.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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, equities analysts forecast that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.01%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on STE shares. Stephens raised STERIS to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and set a $265.00 price objective on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Piper Sandler lifted 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. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Monday, April 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price 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.