Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Now Covered by B. Riley

B. Riley began coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) in a report published on Friday. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $31.00 price target on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Lake Street Capital lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Barrington Research lifted their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Rosenblatt Securities increased their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Northland Securities boosted their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $32.17.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Down 4.3 %

Shares of UTI opened at $25.36 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.49. Universal Technical Institute has a 52 week low of $13.66 and a 52 week high of $30.56. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $27.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $23.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.22. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 21.25% and a net margin of 7.08%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute will post 1 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Technical Institute news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 39,446 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.85, for a total value of $1,098,571.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 177,912 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,954,849.20. This trade represents a 18.15 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.59, for a total transaction of $220,720.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 34,917 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $963,360.03. The trade was a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 94,219 shares of company stock worth $2,569,895. Insiders own 15.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UTI. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,745,668 shares of the company’s stock valued at $70,591,000 after purchasing an additional 44,103 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC grew its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 194.0% in the 4th quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 1,847,423 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,497,000 after buying an additional 1,219,052 shares in the last quarter. Dumac Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter worth $43,236,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,188,891 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,566,000 after acquiring an additional 6,743 shares during the period. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 10.7% during the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 1,131,759 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,098,000 after acquiring an additional 109,255 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Technical Institute

Universal Technical Institute, Inc provides transportation, skilled trades, and healthcare education programs in the United States. The company operates in two segments, UTI and Concorde. It offers certificate, diploma, or degree programs under various brands, such as Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute, and MIAT College of Technology.