Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Decreases Holdings in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 62.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,615 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 9,423 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.'s holdings in STERIS were worth $1,154,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of STERIS by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of STERIS by 182.7% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 212 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in shares of STERIS by 66.7% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 220 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

STERIS Trading Up 0.0%

STE stock traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $245.09. The stock had a trading volume of 1,044,282 shares, compared to its average volume of 546,534. The firm has a market cap of $24.08 billion, a PE ratio of 52.04 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.40. STERIS plc has a 12-month low of $200.98 and a 12-month high of $252.79. The company's 50-day moving average price is $227.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $220.77.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.74 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.15. STERIS had a net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. The firm had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.47 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.58 EPS. STERIS's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that STERIS plc will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.93%. STERIS's dividend payout ratio is presently 36.77%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 12,828 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.08, for a total transaction of $3,208,026.24. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,843,909.76. The trade was a 53.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.14% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JMP Securities lifted their price objective on STERIS from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on STERIS in a research report on Thursday. They set a "hold" rating and a $263.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup restated an "outperform" rating on shares of STERIS in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded STERIS from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, STERIS presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $263.83.

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.