STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Shares Sold by California State Teachers Retirement System

California State Teachers Retirement System reduced its position in STERIS plc (NYSE:STE - Free Report) by 3.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 154,014 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 5,140 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.16% of STERIS worth $31,659,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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

STERIS Price Performance

Shares of STERIS stock traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $245.09. 1,044,282 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 546,534. STERIS plc has a 1 year low of $200.98 and a 1 year high of $252.79. The company has a market capitalization of $24.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.04 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a fifty day moving average of $227.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $220.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

STERIS (NYSE:STE - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.15. STERIS had a net margin of 8.66% and a return on equity of 13.91%. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.58 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict 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. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 10th. STERIS's payout ratio is 36.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on STE. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of STERIS from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. JMP Securities boosted their price target on shares of STERIS from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday. They issued a "hold" rating and a $263.00 price target for the company. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "hold" rating on shares of STERIS in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of STERIS in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $263.83.

Insider Transactions at STERIS

In other news, SVP Cary L. Majors sold 12,828 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 11,372 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,843,909.76. The trade was a 53.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 1.14% of the company's stock.

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.