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STERIS plc (STE) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

STE NYSE Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies L2 CIK: 0001757898
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 16, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
BUY
78% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 STE Key Takeaways

Revenue: $4.3B
Net Margin: 12.9%
Free Cash Flow: $727.2M
Current Ratio: 2.48x
Debt/Equity: 0.27x
EPS: $5.69
AI Rating: BUY with 78% confidence
STERIS plc (STE) receives a BUY rating with 78% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $4.3B, net profit margin of 12.9%, and return on equity (ROE) of 7.9%, STERIS plc demonstrates strong fundamentals in the Healthcare sector. Below is our complete STE stock analysis for 2026.

Is STERIS plc (STE) a Good Investment?

Claude

STERIS demonstrates exceptional financial health with fortress-like balance sheet (0.27x debt/equity, 2.48x current ratio) and robust free cash flow generation ($727.2M annually). However, net income declined 0.2% YoY despite 6.2% revenue growth, signaling margin compression that requires monitoring despite strong 18.1% operating margins.

Why Buy STERIS plc Stock? STE Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional liquidity and conservative leverage with 2.48x current ratio, 1.75x quick ratio, and 0.27x debt/equity
  • + Outstanding debt service capacity with 25.8x interest coverage ratio and $727.2M annual free cash flow
  • + Healthy profitability with 44.4% gross margin and 18.1% operating margin demonstrating operational efficiency
  • + Consistent 6.2% YoY revenue growth in stable, defensive healthcare supplies sector with strong pricing power
  • + Strong free cash flow margin of 16.7% with sustainable capital expenditure at 27.9% of operating cash flow

STE Stock Risks: STERIS plc Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Net income declined 0.2% YoY despite revenue growth, indicating margin compression and potential operating headwinds
  • ! Moderate capital efficiency with ROE of 7.9% and ROA of 5.3% suggesting suboptimal asset utilization
  • ! Limited insider activity (1 Form 4 filing in 90 days) may indicate low management conviction in current valuation
  • ! Exposure to healthcare sector regulatory risks, pricing pressures, and potential reimbursement changes
  • ! EPS growth of 62.7% appears driven by share buybacks rather than organic earnings growth, raising sustainability questions

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Gross margin trend and cost inflation absorption ability
  • * Operating margin sustainability and operating leverage expansion
  • * Free cash flow conversion rate relative to net income
  • * Debt-to-EBITDA ratio and covenant compliance
  • * Revenue growth acceleration beyond 6.2% as indicator of competitive positioning

STERIS plc (STE) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$4.3B
Net Income
$562.1M
EPS (Diluted)
$5.69
Free Cash Flow
$727.2M
Total Assets
$10.6B
Cash Position
$423.7M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

Strong liquidity with a 2.48x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.

STE Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin 44.4%
Operating Margin 18.1%
Net Margin 12.9%
ROE 7.9%
ROA 5.3%
FCF Margin 16.7%

STE vs Healthcare Sector: How STERIS plc Compares

How STERIS plc compares to Healthcare sector averages

Net Margin
STE 12.9%
vs
Sector Avg 12.0%
STE Sector
ROE
STE 7.9%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
STE Sector
Current Ratio
STE 2.5x
vs
Sector Avg 2.0x
STE Sector
Debt/Equity
STE 0.3x
vs
Sector Avg 0.6x
STE Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is STERIS plc Stock Overvalued? STE Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, STERIS plc has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Healthcare sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
7.9%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
12.9%
Sector avg: 12%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.27x
Sector avg: 0.6x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

STERIS plc Balance Sheet: STE Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
2.48x
Quick Ratio
1.75x
Debt/Equity
0.27x
Debt/Assets
32.3%
Interest Coverage
25.84x
Long-term Debt
$1.9B

STE Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

STE 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $3.1B, Net Income $303.7M, EPS $3.55. Year 2022: Revenue $4.6B, Net Income $407.7M, EPS $4.76. Year 2023: Revenue $5.0B, Net Income $397.4M, EPS $4.63. Year 2024: Revenue $5.1B, Net Income $243.9M, EPS $2.48. Year 2025: Revenue $5.5B, Net Income $107.0M, EPS $1.07.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: STERIS plc's revenue has grown significantly by 76% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $1.07 reflects profitable operations.

STE Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
16.7%
Free cash flow / Revenue

STE Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for STERIS plc including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2026 $1.4B $173.5M $1.75
Q2 2026 $1.3B $150.0M $1.51
Q1 2026 $1.3B $145.4M $1.46
Q3 2025 $1.3B $140.7M $1.42
Q2 2025 $1.2B $115.3M $1.16
Q1 2025 $1.2B $123.6M $1.25
Q3 2024 $1.2B -$80.2M $-0.80
Q2 2024 $1.2B $115.3M $1.16

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

STERIS plc Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$1.0B
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$161.2M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$278.8M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$180.0M
Returned to shareholders

STE SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for STERIS plc (CIK: 0001757898)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Apr 6, 2026 8-K d115941d8k.htm View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772832741.xml View →
Feb 6, 2026 10-Q ste-20251231.htm View →
Feb 4, 2026 8-K ste-20260204.htm View →
Jan 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1767735146.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about STE

What is the AI rating for STE?

STERIS plc (STE) has an AI rating of BUY with 78% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are STE's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional liquidity and conservative leverage with 2.48x current ratio, 1.75x quick ratio, and 0.27x debt/equity. Outstanding debt service capacity with 25.8x interest coverage ratio and $727.2M annual free cash flow.

What are the risks of investing in STE?

Claude: Net income declined 0.2% YoY despite revenue growth, indicating margin compression and potential operating headwinds. Moderate capital efficiency with ROE of 7.9% and ROA of 5.3% suggesting suboptimal asset utilization.

What is STE's revenue and growth?

STERIS plc reported revenue of $4.3B.

Does STE pay dividends?

STERIS plc pays dividends, with $180.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find STE SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for STERIS plc (CIK: 0001757898) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is STE's EPS?

STERIS plc has a diluted EPS of $5.69.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is STE a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, STERIS plc has a BUY rating with 78% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.

Is STE stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for STE: ROE of 7.9% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 12.9% (sector avg: 12%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy STE stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives STERIS plc a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is STE's free cash flow?

STERIS plc's operating cash flow is $1.0B, with capital expenditures of $278.8M. FCF margin is 16.7%.

How does STE compare to other Healthcare stocks?

Vs Healthcare sector averages: Net margin 12.9% (avg: 12%), ROE 7.9% (avg: 15%), current ratio 2.48 (avg: 2).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 16, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI