Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) have received an average recommendation of “Buy” from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $31.17.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Lake Street Capital boosted their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Barrington Research upped their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Northland Securities lifted their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities increased their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Technical Institute stock opened at $26.84 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $27.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.51. The firm has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.49. Universal Technical Institute has a 12 month low of $13.66 and a 12 month high of $30.56.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.22. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 7.08% and a return on equity of 21.25%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.59, for a total transaction of $220,720.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 34,917 shares in the company, valued at $963,360.03. This represents a 18.64 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 15.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute during the third quarter valued at $395,000. Versor Investments LP purchased a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the 3rd quarter valued at about $242,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 214,215 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,483,000 after purchasing an additional 10,854 shares during the last quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 309.5% in the third quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 11,070 shares of the company’s stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 8,367 shares during the period. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 65.6% in the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 100,080 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,627,000 after purchasing an additional 39,646 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.