STERIS (STE) Stock Analysis

November 11, 2026

This is a peer-relative look at STERIS (STE): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Health Care Equipment & Services peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

Company profile fields for STERIS (STE)
Profile Item	STE
Name	STERIS plc
Country/Region	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Health Care Equipment & Services
GICS Industry	Health Care Equipment & Supplies
GICS Sub-Industry	Health Care Equipment
Market Capitalization	24.50 billion USD
Currency	USD
Exchange	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1992
Security Type	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

STE

GSPC

STERIS (STE) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for STERIS (STE) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for STERIS (STE) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Total Return (1Y)	-1.85%	21.53%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	9.57%	9.81%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	3.26%	-2.76%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

STE

GSPC

STERIS (STE) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for STERIS (STE) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	26.39%	50.93%
Beta (5Y)	0.81	0.85
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-36.18%	-70.34%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. STE is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	-0.23	0.34
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	-0.34	0.54

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

STERIS (STE) posts ROE of 11.61%, roughly around the peer group’s normal range. Shareholders’ equity is producing a return that looks broadly typical for the industry.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

11.61%

Group distribution

Max: 47.61%
Q3: 14.36%
STE: 11.61%
Median: 5.45%
Q1: -10.67%
Min: -47.01%

Largest peers

ISRG: 17.93%
SYK: 16.02%
UNH: 15.77%
STE: 11.61%
MDT: 10.65%
ABT: 9.14%
MCK: --

Where STERIS (STE) stands on ROE within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

STERIS (STE) keeps 13.41% of revenue as net profit, putting net margin in the upper peer quartile. After operating costs, interest, and taxes, more of each sales dollar reaches shareholders than it does at most industry peers.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

13.41%

Group distribution

Max: 29.35%
STE: 13.41%
Q3: 9.33%
Median: 2.18%
Q1: -6.29%
Min: -28.46%

Largest peers

ISRG: 25.54%
MDT: 13.93%
SYK: 13.78%
STE: 13.41%
ABT: 9.75%
UNH: 3.53%
MCK: 1.12%

Where STERIS (STE) stands on net margin within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

STERIS (STE) turns 19.18% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

19.18%

Group distribution

Max: 35.43%
STE: 19.18%
Q3: 14.14%
Median: 6.81%
Q1: -0.28%
Min: -16.29%

Largest peers

ISRG: 33.29%
SYK: 22.96%
MDT: 19.33%
STE: 19.18%
ABT: 11.66%
UNH: 5.82%
MCK: 1.48%

Where STERIS (STE) stands on operating margin within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
ROE (TTM)	11.61%	5.45%
ROA (TTM)	7.00%	3.17%
Net Margin (TTM)	13.41%	2.18%
Operating Margin (TTM)	19.18%	6.81%
Gross Margin (TTM)	44.30%	55.21%

Growth

Revenue Growth

STERIS (STE) grew revenue 8.73%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

STERIS (STE): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

STERIS (STE) grew earnings per share 27.90%, in the upper peer quartile. Per-share profits are compounding faster than at most industry peers.

STERIS (STE): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)	8.73%	11.55%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.38%	10.83%
EPS Growth (YoY)	27.90%	4.88%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	94.97%	14.59%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

STERIS (STE) has current ratio of 2.05, in the healthier middle range for its industry. The short-term asset cushion looks balanced relative to peers rather than stretched thin.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

2.05

Group distribution

Max: 7.59
Q3: 4.00
STE: 2.05
Median: 1.98
Q1: 1.37
Min: 0.30

Largest peers

ISRG: 3.33
SYK: 2.18
MDT: 2.07
STE: 2.05
ABT: 1.46
MCK: 0.90
UNH: 0.74

Where STERIS (STE) stands on current ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

STERIS (STE) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal leverage range. Its mix of debt and equity looks typical for the industry.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

0.28

Group distribution

Max: 1.88
Q3: 0.91
Median: 0.58
STE: 0.28
Q1: 0.16
Min: 0.00

Largest peers

UNH: 0.70
SYK: 0.66
ABT: 0.61
MDT: 0.55
STE: 0.28
ISRG: --
MCK: --

Where STERIS (STE) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.05	1.98
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.28	0.58
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.91	2.04

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

STERIS (STE) has dividend yield of 1.02%, above the entire industry range. That headline income is large, but yields this far above peers often come from a falling share price or an at-risk payout, so dividend safety matters more than the percentage itself.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

1.02%

Group distribution

STE: 1.02%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

MDT: 2.72%
UNH: 2.29%
ABT: 2.22%
SYK: 1.05%
STE: 1.02%
MCK: 0.32%
ISRG: 0.00%

Where STERIS (STE) stands on dividend yield within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

STERIS (STE) has payout ratio of 30.61%, above the peer distribution for its industry. The dividend consumes more reported earnings than peers normally do, leaving unusually thin earnings cover.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

30.61%

Group distribution

STE: 30.61%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

ABT: 92.54%
MDT: 70.02%
UNH: 51.71%
SYK: 37.49%
STE: 30.61%
MCK: 8.77%
ISRG: 0.00%

Where STERIS (STE) stands on payout ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.02%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	30.61%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

STERIS (STE) trades at P/E ratio of 29.93, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

29.93

Group distribution

Max: 80.41
Q3: 47.62
STE: 29.93
Median: 29.93
Q1: 21.19
Min: 4.21

Largest peers

ISRG: 54.75
ABT: 41.02
SYK: 34.70
STE: 29.93
MCK: 27.36
MDT: 25.01
UNH: 22.50

Where STERIS (STE) stands on P/E ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

STERIS (STE) trades at 3.97 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

3.97

Group distribution

Max: 8.80
Q3: 4.32
STE: 3.97
Median: 2.13
Q1: 1.10
Min: 0.03

Largest peers

ISRG: 13.82
SYK: 4.72
STE: 3.97
ABT: 3.95
MDT: 3.47
UNH: 0.78
MCK: 0.29

Where STERIS (STE) stands on P/S ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

STERIS (STE) trades at 3.38 on P/B ratio, roughly in line with the industry’s normal price-to-book range. Its balance sheet is not being priced at a clear discount or premium versus peers.

STE

Health Care Equipment & Services industry group

3.38

Group distribution

Max: 11.68
Q3: 6.12
STE: 3.38
Median: 3.00
Q1: 1.73
Min: -1.31

Largest peers

ISRG: 9.82
SYK: 5.29
ABT: 3.73
UNH: 3.60
STE: 3.38
MDT: 2.59
MCK: -30.85

Where STERIS (STE) stands on P/B ratio within its Health Care Equipment & Services peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

STERIS (STE) metric values compared with Health Care Equipment & Services industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: STE	Industry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)	29.93	29.93
P/S Ratio (TTM)	3.97	2.13
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	3.38	3.00
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.36%	3.50%