STE vs. SPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STE (STERIS plc) and SPH (Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.) are both stocks. STE operates in Medical Devices (Healthcare), while SPH operates in Utilities - Regulated Gas (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, STE returned 12.74%/yr vs 2.81%/yr for SPH. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STE vs. SPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STERIS plc (STE) and Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (SPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STE achieves a -16.88% return, which is significantly lower than SPH's 5.93% return. Over the past 10 years, STE has outperformed SPH with an annualized return of 12.74%, while SPH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.81% annualized return.

STE

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: -16.88%
• 6M: -18.76%
• 1Y: -12.76%
• 3Y*: 1.75%
• 5Y*: 2.57%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

SPH

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: 5.93%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 6.35%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 12.87%
• 10Y*: 2.81%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

STE vs. SPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STE STERIS plc	-16.88%	24.57%	-5.60%	20.19%	-23.43%	29.47%	25.50%	44.09%	23.66%	31.73%
SPH Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.	5.93%	15.20%	3.84%	26.96%	12.28%	6.85%	-24.02%	25.55%	-11.75%	-9.09%

Correlation

The correlation between STE and SPH is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 1996	0.15

Fundamentals

Market Cap STE : $20.68B SPH : $39.16K
EPS STE : $7.93 SPH : $2.70
PE Ratio STE : 26.52 SPH : 7.04
PEG Ratio STE : 0.36 SPH : 11.62
PS Ratio STE : 3.49 SPH : 1.12
PB Ratio STE : 2.87 SPH : 0.00
Total Revenue (TTM) STE : $5.94B SPH : $841.91M
Gross Profit (TTM) STE : $2.63B SPH : -$87.69M
EBITDA (TTM) STE : $1.34B SPH : $280.49M

Return for Risk

STE vs. SPH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

STE

STE Risk / Return Rank: 17
STE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
STE Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
STE Omega Ratio Rank: 17
STE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
STE Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SPH

SPH Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SPH Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPH Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

STE vs. SPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STERIS plc (STE) and Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (SPH). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	STE	SPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.54	0.32	-0.86
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.65	0.57	-1.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.07	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	0.68	-1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.27	2.06	-3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STE vs. SPH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STE Sharpe Ratio is -0.54, which is lower than the SPH Sharpe Ratio of 0.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STE and SPH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	STE	SPH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.54	0.32	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.52	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.10	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.34	+0.07

Drawdowns

STE vs. SPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STE drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, which is greater than SPH's maximum drawdown of -60.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STE and SPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	STE	SPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.22%	-60.60%	-16.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.67%	-9.38%	-15.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.67%	-20.01%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.18%	-20.01%	-16.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-56.96%	+20.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.56%	-7.00%	-14.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.32%	-12.60%	-5.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.09%	3.28%	+6.81%

Volatility

STE vs. SPH - Volatility Comparison

STERIS plc (STE) has a higher volatility of 7.74% compared to Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (SPH) at 6.62%. This indicates that STE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STE	SPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.74%	6.62%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.14%	13.58%	+4.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.67%	20.09%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.79%	24.71%	+1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.06%	29.10%	-4.04%

Dividends

STE vs. SPH - Dividend Comparison

STE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than SPH's 6.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPH Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.	6.84%	7.01%	7.56%	7.32%	8.56%	8.53%	12.11%	10.98%	12.45%	13.47%	11.81%	14.55%
STE STERIS plc	1.17%	0.95%	1.06%	0.90%	0.97%	0.68%	0.81%	0.93%	1.22%	1.35%	1.57%	1.27%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STE and SPH in my portfolio?

STE and SPH have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STE or SPH?

STE has higher volatility (7.74%) compared to SPH (6.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STE dropped -77.22% vs SPH's -60.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.32 vs -0.54), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.