Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ:SHC) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Eleven brokerages give Sotera Health a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, with eight buys and three holds. The average 12-month price target is $21.50, above the stock’s reported $19.27 price.
• Recent results exceeded expectations: Sotera Health reported quarterly EPS of $0.26 versus the $0.24 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 9.2% year over year to $321.38 million. The company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $0.95–$1.01.
• Insiders have been selling shares: Company insiders sold 1.29 million shares worth approximately $24 million during the last quarter, including substantial sales by Chairman Michael Petras and insider Michael Rutz. Insiders retain a 15.36% ownership stake, while institutions own 91.03%.

Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ:SHC - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $21.50.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Sotera Health from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Piper Sandler reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $25.00 target price (up from $22.00) on shares of Sotera Health in a report on Friday, August 7th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Sotera Health from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. UBS Group set a $19.00 target price on shares of Sotera Health in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Sotera Health from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Michael B. Jr. Petras sold 850,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.50, for a total value of $15,725,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 3,969,393 shares in the company, valued at $73,433,770.50. This trade represents a 17.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Michael P. Rutz sold 150,000 shares of Sotera Health stock in a transaction on Friday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.84, for a total transaction of $2,826,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 334,279 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,297,816.36. The trade was a 30.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 1,294,515 shares of company stock valued at $23,999,528. Company insiders own 15.36% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sotera Health

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in SHC. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Sotera Health by 10.8% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,204 shares of the company's stock worth $127,000 after acquiring an additional 705 shares during the period. Strs Ohio increased its holdings in Sotera Health by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 4,895 shares of the company's stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 727 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in Sotera Health by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 16,676 shares of the company's stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 944 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. raised its position in Sotera Health by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 66,266 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,169,000 after purchasing an additional 970 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its position in Sotera Health by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 64,993 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,146,000 after purchasing an additional 1,061 shares in the last quarter. 91.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sotera Health Price Performance

Shares of Sotera Health stock opened at $19.27 on Monday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $18.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.40. Sotera Health has a 52 week low of $13.09 and a 52 week high of $19.85. The company has a market capitalization of $5.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.81 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a quick ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 2.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33.

Sotera Health (NASDAQ:SHC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. Sotera Health had a return on equity of 40.12% and a net margin of 13.44%.The firm had revenue of $321.38 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $309.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.20 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sotera Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.950-1.010 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Sotera Health will post 0.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sotera Health Company Profile

Sotera Health Inc NASDAQ: SHC is a global provider of sterilization and laboratory testing services that support the medical device, pharmaceutical, life sciences and consumer product industries. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company offers a suite of services designed to ensure products meet rigorous safety and regulatory requirements before reaching market.

Sotera Health operates through three primary service platforms. Its Sterigenics division delivers contract sterilization solutions, including ethylene oxide (EtO), gamma irradiation, electron beam and X-ray technologies.

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