SHC Q1 Earnings Call: Sotera Health Outperforms Expectations, Highlights Resilient Service Demand

Healthcare services company Sotera Health (NASDAQ:) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 2.6% year on year to $254.5 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.14 per share was 14.9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy SHC? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

StockStory’s Take

Sotera Health’s first quarter results reflected steady demand across its sterilization and lab testing businesses, with management emphasizing improvement in core service volumes and margin expansion. CEO Michael Petras attributed the quarter’s performance to higher pricing within Sterigenics, positive volume trends in Nelson Labs, and a one-time revenue shift in Nordion. Petras also pointed to the company’s ability to capture share in regulated end markets, such as bioprocessing, as a source of advantage.

Looking ahead, management reaffirmed its full-year guidance and stressed confidence in the company’s exposure to stable, service-based revenue streams. CFO Jon Lyons highlighted ongoing margin initiatives at Nelson Labs and reiterated that tariffs and foreign exchange are expected to have minimal impact. Petras added, “We are optimistic based on what we are seeing here, even at the early stages of the second quarter,” citing positive customer feedback and improving order trends in key segments.

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management provided insight into the operational levers driving the quarter’s performance and offered clarity on segment dynamics, risk factors, and customer trends impacting results.

• Sterigenics pricing and volume: Revenue growth was primarily driven by higher pricing and gradual volume recovery, with management noting that underlying customer demand is stabilizing and bioprocessing volumes are improving, albeit from a small base.
• Nordion shipment timing: The segment benefited from early Cobalt-60 shipments originally scheduled for the second quarter, temporarily boosting revenue and margin but not altering the full-year outlook for the business.
• Nelson Labs margin expansion: Margin improvement at Nelson Labs was supported by increased core lab testing volumes, better mix, and stable labor costs, as well as optimization efforts in response to regulatory-driven demand for testing.
• Limited tariff exposure: Management stated that current tariff policies are not expected to materially affect Sotera Health, since most revenue is generated from services and Cobalt-60 imports from Canada are exempt under existing trade agreements.
• Ongoing litigation and regulatory compliance: The company continues to defend itself in ethylene oxide (EO) litigation and is investing in regulatory compliance, particularly with evolving EPA rules. Management is confident in its operational safety but acknowledges ongoing legal costs.

Drivers of Future Performance

Management expects stable demand for sterilization and lab services in 2025, supported by regulated healthcare markets and ongoing operational efficiency initiatives.

• Service-based revenue resilience: The company’s reliance on recurring service revenue, which makes up about 85% of sales, underpins management’s confidence in navigating industry and regulatory shifts without significant disruption.
• Margin improvement focus: Initiatives in lab optimization and cost control, particularly at Nelson Labs, are expected to support ongoing adjusted EBITDA margin expansion throughout the year.
• Regulatory and legal environment: While management sees minimal risk from current tariffs and stable supply for key products, regulatory changes and litigation in EO remain watch points that could influence long-term profitability.

Top Analyst Questions

• Patrick Donnelly (Citi): Asked about tariff effects and Sterigenics volume recovery; management reiterated minimal tariff impact and noted improving volumes, especially in bioprocessing.
• Brett Fishbin (KeyBanc): Inquired about Nelson Labs’ margin drivers and future trajectory; management pointed to regulatory-driven demand, stable labor, and successful optimization initiatives.
• Matt Sykes (Goldman Sachs): Sought an update on EO litigation risk and cross-selling efforts; management emphasized ongoing legal defense and described continued progress in cross-selling between Sterigenics and Nelson Labs.
• Luke Sergott (Barclays): Queried about the impact of shipment timing on Nordion’s margins and expectations for Sterigenics’ volume trends; management clarified that shipment timing was a temporary factor and volumes are expected to improve.
• Jason Bednar (Piper Sandler): Asked about Sterigenics pricing stability and customer responses to price increases; management indicated price levels are defensible and ongoing contract negotiations are balancing value delivery with customer cost pressures.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will monitor (1) sustained volume recovery in Sterigenics, particularly as customer inventory and device utilization trends normalize; (2) Nelson Labs’ ability to maintain margin gains through continued optimization and regulatory-driven testing demand; and (3) the progression of EO litigation and any regulatory changes impacting operational costs. The stability of service revenue and execution on cross-segment growth opportunities will also be key markers of Sotera Health’s strategic progress.

Sotera Health Company currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 16.8×. Should you double down or take your chips? Find out in our free research report.

Stocks That Trumped Tariffs in 2018

The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.

While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years.

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.