STERIS plc (STE) Q3 FY2026 Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Good day, and welcome to the STERIS plc Third Quarter 2026 Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Ms. Julie Winter, Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you, Chuck, and good morning, everyone. Speaking on today's call will be Karen Burton, our Senior Vice President and CFO; and Dan Carestio, our President and CEO. And I do have a few words of caution before we open for comments. This webcast contains time-sensitive information that is accurate only as of today. Any redistribution, retransmission or rebroadcast of this call without the expressed written consent of STERIS is strictly prohibited. Some of the statements made during this review are or may be considered forward-looking statements. Many important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. including, without limitation, those risk factors described in STERIS' securities filings. The company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments. STERIS' SEC filings are available through the company and on our website. In addition, on today's call, non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted earnings per diluted share, adjusted operating income, constant currency organic revenue growth and free cash flow will be used. Additional information regarding these measures, including definitions, is available in our press release as well as reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented during this call with the intent of providing greater transparency to supplemental financial information used by management and the Board of Directors in their financial analysis and operational decision-making. With those cautions, I will hand the call over to Karen.

Thank you, Julie, and good morning, everyone. It is my pleasure to be with you this morning to review the highlights of our third quarter performance from continuing operations. For the third quarter, total as-reported revenue grew 9%. Constant currency organic revenue grew 8% in the quarter, driven by volume as well as 200 basis points of price. Gross margin for the quarter declined 70 basis points compared with the prior year to 43.9%. Positive price and productivity, primarily driven by volume were more than offset by increased tariffs and inflation. EBIT margin decreased 40 basis points to 22.9% of revenue compared with last year, mainly driven by the decline in gross margin, which was somewhat mitigated by operating expense discipline. The adjusted effective tax rate in the quarter was 24.2%, a small decline from 24.5% in the third quarter of last year. The year-over-year decrease was driven primarily by changes in geographic mix. Adjusted net income from continuing operations in the quarter was $249.4 million. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $2.53, a 9% increase over the prior year. Capital expenditures for the first 9 months of fiscal 2026 totaled $278.8 million, and depreciation and amortization totaled $363.1 million. We ended the quarter with $1.9 billion in total debt. Gross debt to EBITDA at quarter end was approximately 1.2x. Free cash flow for the first 9 months of fiscal 2026 was $737.6 million, with year-over-year improvement, driven primarily by an increase in earnings and lower capital spending. With that, I will now turn the call over to Dan for his remarks.

Thanks, Karen, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us to hear more about our third quarter performance. Karen covered the quarter at a high level, so I will add some commentary on our segments. Starting with Healthcare. Constant currency organic revenue grew 8% for the third quarter with growth across all categories. Service continued its streak of outperformance, growing 11% in the third quarter. Consumables also performed well with growth of 8%. Healthcare capital equipment revenue increased 7% for the quarter with backlog remaining over $400 million. Orders were down 1% year-to-date against difficult comparisons to last year. EBIT margins for Healthcare in the quarter decreased 100 basis points to 24.3% as volume, pricing and restructuring program benefits were more than offset by increased tariffs and inflation. Turning to AST. Constant currency organic revenue grew 8% for the quarter with 9% growth in services and 103% growth in capital equipment revenue. Services benefited from stable medical device volumes, bioprocessing demand and currency. EBIT margins for AST were 45.1%, up 30 basis points from the third quarter of last year as the additional pricing and volume were more than able to offset increases in labor and energy and the unfavorable mix impact from strong capital growth. Constant currency organic revenue increased 5% for Life Sciences in the quarter driven by 11% growth in consumables. Capital equipment also performed well with 7% growth in backlog holding over $100 million. Margins declined 20 basis points as volume and price were more than offset by tariffs and inflation. From an earnings perspective, we grew the bottom line 9% in the quarter to $2.53 per diluted share. Included in that number is approximately $16 million of pretax tariff impact, which primarily impacted our Healthcare segment. Turning to our outlook for fiscal 2026. As noted in the press release, we are maintaining our outlook for the year. This includes approximately 8% to 9% as-reported revenue growth and constant currency organic revenue growth of 7% to 8%. Our earnings outlook of $10.15 to $10.30 is also being maintained, although with $10 million more in anticipated tariffs, the higher end of that range is less likely. Free cash flow is expected to be $850 million, and CapEx remains unchanged at $375 million. We are pleased with our performance year-to-date, delivering constant currency organic revenue growth of high single digits and double digits earnings per share despite the tariff headwinds. That concludes our prepared remarks for the call. Chuck, would you please give the instructions and we can begin the Q&A.

[Operator Instructions] And our first question for today will come from Brett Fishbin with KeyBanc.

Just was hoping maybe at a high level, company-wide, you could just touch on how you're thinking about fourth quarter constant currency growth, just thinking about, you're kind of tracking a little bit above the high end of the 7% to 8% FY '26 range and maintain 7% to 8% for the year. So just kind of wondering if there's any incremental concerns or temporary items impacting 4Q, or maybe if it sets up as we should be thinking about the higher end or potential upside?

As we look at the fourth quarter, and as we said last quarter, we do have a bit of a slowdown in the second half. So -- and that would be my caution on getting too excited about the fourth quarter. So that is why we're holding that 7% to 8% constant currency. Last year's fourth quarter was a solid quarter. So it's a tough comparison as well, particularly in AST, where we had a really strong capital equipment fourth quarter, which is not expected this year.

Brett, this is Julie. Just to add on Healthcare, too. We've been saying all year, we don't expect Healthcare services to stay in the teens. We slowed a little bit to 11%. In the third quarter, we would expect continued slowing in that business in the fourth quarter.

All right. Perfect. And then maybe just one more for me. I was just interested to hear maybe a little bit more about what you're seeing around capital equipment backlog activity in both segments. I think the Healthcare backlog is showing stability kind of in that -- in the same range it's been in the last couple of quarters, but seeing some pretty strong growth out of the Life Sciences backlog. So just any thoughts on kind of what's going on there would be appreciated.

Yes, Brett, this is Dan. The Life Science one is easy because that's just a recovery comparison to where we were a little over a year ago when pharma wasn't spending as much. And we started booking strong orders Q3 last year, and that's continued, and it continues today and as those continue to flush out, we're just in a much better spot from a macro perspective than we were a little over a year ago. So that's positive. On the Healthcare side, we've had strong orders all year. I mean, we're down 1% versus prior year, which was a blowout year in terms of order intake. So we have not felt any meaningful slowdown as it relates to capital spending. And I go back to what I've said many times is a lot of times, our products are treated almost the utility. They're needed for capacity. They're essential in the hospital. And if the procedures continue to grow at some nominal rate or location changes that capacity has to be put in place as it relates to sterilization disinfection, et cetera. So we've been fairly resilient, whereas I know maybe some others have seen some capital slowdown.

The next question will come from Mac Etoch with Stephens.

Maybe just a follow-up on Brett's capital equipment question, Life Sciences. I'd just like to know how you would characterize the current conditions in that end market and how conversations with customers are evolving around U.S. onshoring and capacity expansions?

I'd say, in general, Mac, any time there's a juxtaposition of manufacturing locations, as we tend to benefit on the capital side of things because they're putting in new capacity. Clearly, there's been some pretty big announcements in the last few months in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and other states, that have got commitments to build large new processing capacity. And fortunately for us, a lot of that capacity is aseptic manufacturing type products, which tends to be our sweet spot. So it's definitely a positive macro for us right now. I think the more important thing is that despite some of the pricing pressures in pharma and some of the regulatory changes that may be coming there, nonetheless, they seem to be in a much better spot than they were 1.5 years ago, when there was some confusion. So all in all, it's been a positive for us.

Appreciate that. And then obviously, the $10 million increase in tariff-related costs that popped up on the press release, I'd just like to potentially get an update on your mitigation efforts and get your sense of how you will be able to maybe offset a majority of these costs in FY '27, if that's possible.

Sure. Yes, there's a wide variety of mitigation efforts going on, and we are optimistic about our ability to continue to absorb those as we go forward and fully as we move forward. They range from shifting product movement, supplier negotiations, alternative suppliers, honestly, the hardest work and the biggest part is looking for other cost reductions and ability to offset those costs with productivity improvements efficiencies in our facilities and across the offices back office as well.

Mac, this is Julie. Just to add on the third quarter and the $10 million for the year is mainly driven by metals, and we see an uptick in metals with the more capital equipment sales. So the mix shift to capital has a direct impact on the tariff exposure for this year.

The next question will come from Michael Polark with Wolfe Research.

I'll stay on tariffs and then I want to shift to AST. So just on tariffs, can you remind the $55 million that's now in the guidance? Is that 6 months just December and March? Or was there an impact in the September quarter as well? And I asked just because I'm trying to understand like what -- how much we'll need to annualize it?

We were $16 million in the third quarter, Mike, and we would expect that to step up a little bit in the fourth. The $55 million is an annual run rate for fiscal '26, and we have been incurring tariffs every quarter.

It seems that Mr. Polark has disconnected. Our next question will come from Patrick Wood with Morgan Stanley.

Two kind of both on the like macro and regulatory side. CMS had 2 different proposals. There was obviously the PPE sort of onshoring and some of the API stuff on the drug side. Curious if you think that would have any effect as supply chain shifts and if that could affect you guys in a positive way. And then the other 1 was like another CMS proposal, they're obviously getting rid of for a lot of surgeries, the inpatient-only list. They did that obviously for musculoskeletal, but they're doing it for some of the soft tissue surgeries and things. Is there a chance that, that pulls more procedures into the ASC? And do you view that ASC shift as a good thing or a bad thing for you guys?

Yes. Sure, Patrick. This is Dan. Nice to hear from you. I would say that the ASC shift has generally been a positive for us. There's new capacity demands. There's also a higher degree of clinical support that those facilities need than maybe large acute care facilities in terms of sterilization disinfection, and that's something that STERIS is uniquely positioned to provide, and we've been able to do that quite well. In terms of the PPE shift, I have not yet seen any material commitments of major manufacturing moving to U.S. at this point that would have an impact on -- I mean, that would largely be an ASC play, right, in terms of PPE that needs that sterile drape and gown type stuff. But I've read about it, but I haven't seen any impact from it at this point. And in terms of your question on the API relocation, I have not seen an impact on that yet either.

Right. That's helpful. And then just very quickly as a follow-up. We had chatted before about potentially, I don't know, it's hard for what you can and can't say, but a bit more of the commercial push in EMEA across some of your product lines on the sterilization side. Is that still something a more integrated model and competing a little bit more aggressively in EMEA, is that still something that's on the cards?

Absolutely. Yes. That's something we're committed to. We've made a lot of structural changes in EMEA in terms of how we're going to approach go-to-market. It's going to take a while to get that fully formulated and executed. It's a long process, but we're confident in the direction that we're heading.

Your next question will come from Mike Matson with Needham & Company.

So I wanted to follow up on Mike Polark's question on the tariff exposure in '26. I think maybe what he was trying to get at was like, what's the incremental exposure in '27. I know you probably can't give us a dollar amount, you're not giving guidance, but if you've been paying tariffs for basically all 4 quarters of '26, does that imply that kind of any incremental tariff impact in '27 will be small, less than a quarter worth effectively or...

I think that's a logical approach. Obviously, the tariffs did fluctuate during the year, especially in the first half of our year as rates settled in. And we're seeing it come through and reflected in the different mix. But I don't -- I think it's reasonable to say that it wouldn't be more than another quarter's worth kind of level. Based on current risk...

Yes, I understand.

What's in place right now.

Yes. Okay. And then just your leverage ratio is at just over 1x. It's been -- I think it's been a few years since you've done any acquisition. So -- it used to be a pretty big part of the STERIS story. So maybe why haven't you been doing more deals? And what's the outlook? Do you have a pipeline of things that you're looking at? And can we expect to see more in the next few years?

Well, we've been active on smaller sort of bolt-on product acquisitions and some channel acquisitions over the last couple of years. Doing major transformative M&A is not easy. It's something that we feel we're good at, and we have the muscle for, and we're good at integration, but we also have a very disciplined approach at what meets our financial criteria and where we add value from a customer perspective. So we're looking. But at this point, we've kissed a lot of frogs and not a lot of them have turned out to be princess.

Your next question will come from Jason Bednar with Piper Sandler.

I got to follow the frog just some comment here. I'm going to start with cash flow guidance here. You left that unchanged, but look, based on where you're at for the first 9 months, that target, it just looks like layup. So I guess, why not bump that higher? I get not changing revenue, I get not changing the EPS guide. But are there any cash flow fluctuations you're anticipating at year-end that would keep you from clearing that guidance bar?

Jason, yes, I think it's you're right. We are very confident with that guidance. A lot of times in the fourth quarter, timing really matters. So we've got a heavy capital quarter. Some of those, that activity will shift into next year in terms of cash collections. So it's a little bit harder to predict in the fourth quarter, especially since it is winter and weather can play a part. So a little bit of conservatism there.

Okay. All right. Fair enough. And then for a follow-up, I did want to peek a little bit ahead to fiscal '27. So look, you're sitting on a healthy backlog that's no secret. The ASP momentum is obvious for you and the broader market. The Street is only modeling 6% growth for next year. Is there a reason you wouldn't be able to maintain your typical 7-Eleven growth algorithm beyond fiscal '26? I know a lot have asked about -- here today about tariffs being kind of the impact on tariffs in fiscal '27. But any other considerations we should have in mind, whether it's top line or margin related?

I mean, obviously, we're in the throes of our planning period right now. But I would say in a general sense, the macros don't look negative to us right now. It would -- and obviously, next quarter, we're going to give you guys some solid guidance of where we think we're going to land in fiscal '27. But at this point, I don't see a lot of downside or anything materially changes in the market today.

And the next question is a follow-up from Michael Polark with Wolfe.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Yes, no.

I'm so sorry, what happened earlier. I don't know, it just dropped, and it took me a bit to get back to. So my follow-up -- my follow-up was going to be on AST services, if somebody asked us and you answered it, I missed it. But just in the quarter, on constant FX, AST services line up 6%. The prior 2 quarters was up 10% constant FX if that makes some assumptions on the math. So can we just get a little extra color on kind of how you've seen the fiscal year play out in AST, why the December quarter might have been a little bit below the prior 2? And what's a good way to think about constant FX AST services growth in this current March quarter?

Sure. Yes. What I would say is, Mike, we kind of had a strange start to the quarter. We don't get in to talk about months sequentially, but October was really weak, and then it got better in November, and then we had a really strong December. So -- and there's nothing I can point to. There wasn't anything uniquely geographic. There wasn't any customer subsegment that we look at that was off. It was just a general softness in the volumes that we're seeing across the global network. That seemed to have had red itself by December.

If I can just follow up there and then I'll cede. Any for several quarters now, we've been asking about just the tariff impact, customers changing order flows as part of their tariff mitigation. Any fresh view as to whether that could explain some of this kind of quarter-to-quarter-to-quarter movement?

There was speculation, and this is somewhat anecdotal, but we have heard from some customers, they built ahead of tariffs a bit and got product into different locations. I can't say definitively that it was a material impact on the volumes and maybe that's why there was some slight inventory adjustment that we saw in the fall. But we haven't seen any movements that have impacted us negatively because we're well positioned all around the globe to work with our customers for sterilization.

This concludes our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Ms. Julie Winter for any closing remarks. Please go ahead.

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to join us this morning to hear more about our performance in the quarter, and we look forward to seeing many of you on the road in March.

The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.