Steris maintains annual profit forecast after slight quarterly revenue beat

Feb 4 (Reuters) - Steris STE.N maintained its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, after slightly beating estimates for third-quarter revenue on strength in its largest segment, which sells sterilization products.

Shares of the medical equipment maker were down 3.6% in extended trading.

Steris maintained its 2026 adjusted profit outlook in the range of $10.15 to $10.30 per share. Analysts expect a profit of $10.21 apiece for the year.

The company said the forecast includes higher tariff headwinds, now expected to reduce pretax profit by about $55 million, from prior expectations of about $45 million.

Steris and peers such as Stryker SYK.N have benefited from a surge in demand as more people in the U.S., particularly older Americans, sought healthcare services and surgical procedures.

Last week, Stryker raised its full-year profit forecast, banking on strong sales of its implants and other medical devices.

Revenue from the Steris' healthcare segment, which provides sterilization products to hospitals and other healthcare providers, rose 9% year over year in its fiscal third quarter to $1.1 billion.

The company, which produces surgical instruments, reported quarterly revenue of $1.5 billion, slightly above analysts' estimates of $1.48 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

On an adjusted basis, the company reported a profit of $2.53 per share for the third quarter, in line with estimates.

For fiscal 2026, Steris expects reported revenue from continuing operations to increase 8%-9%, and constant currency organic revenue from continuing operations growth of 7%-8%.