Steris plays into powerful long-term trends

Article Excerpt

The pandemic presented this firm with unique challenges. However, it remained profitable and is now well positioned to keep prospering as the economy rebounds. Trends underway—as well as its strong position in key markets—will power its gains. The stock is a Power Buy. STERIS PLC, $227.27, is a buy. The firm (New York symbol STE; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.steris.com; Shares outstanding: 98.8 million; Market cap: $22.7 billion; Dividend yield: 0.9%) sells sterilization equipment, surgical tables, and other products and services used in hospitals and laboratories. Steris operates in four segments: Healthcare (65% of revenues), Applied Sterilization Technologies (17%), Life Sciences (11%), and Dental (7%). Although based in the U.K., the company generates about 75% of its revenue in the U.S. market. Steris has made some key acquisitions for growth over the last few years. These include the 2021 purchase of Cantel Medical for $4.6 billion. Cantel is a provider of disposable infection-control products used in endoscopy procedures (the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body…