STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

STERIS plc (NYSE:STE) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 1,560,494 shares, an increase of 22.7% from the January 15th total of 1,271,747 shares. Currently, 1.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 531,255 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 531,255 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Currently, 1.6% of the company’s stock are sold short.

STERIS Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE:STE opened at $247.97 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $256.57 and a 200-day moving average of $250.80. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The firm has a market cap of $24.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.58 and a beta of 1.03. STERIS has a twelve month low of $204.90 and a twelve month high of $269.44.

STERIS (NYSE:STE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.53 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.53. STERIS had a net margin of 12.15% and a return on equity of 14.34%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.32 EPS. STERIS has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.150-10.300 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that STERIS will post 9.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

STERIS Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. STERIS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.15%.

Insider Buying and Selling at STERIS

In other news, VP Julia Madsen sold 5,008 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $262.00, for a total value of $1,312,096.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 10,710 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,806,020. This trade represents a 31.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.07% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On STERIS

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. TritonPoint Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of STERIS during the 4th quarter valued at about $437,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its stake in STERIS by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 15,405 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock valued at $3,905,000 after purchasing an additional 670 shares during the last quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC boosted its holdings in STERIS by 59.1% during the fourth quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 1,430 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $363,000 after buying an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Walleye Trading LLC bought a new stake in STERIS during the fourth quarter worth approximately $274,000. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC grew its position in STERIS by 105.4% in the fourth quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 12,104 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock worth $3,069,000 after buying an additional 6,211 shares during the last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

STE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of STERIS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, STERIS has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $275.20.

STERIS Company Profile

STERIS Corporation (NYSE: STE) is a global provider of infection prevention, contamination control and procedural products and services for the healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The company develops, manufactures and supports a broad portfolio of equipment and consumables designed to reduce risk of infection, maintain sterile environments and support critical clinical and manufacturing procedures.

Its offerings include sterilization and decontamination systems, instrument washers and washers-disinfectors, endoscope reprocessing solutions, surgical equipment and procedural disposables, and contamination-control products for cleanrooms and laboratories.