Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $15.20.

UTI has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $16.00 target price for the company. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Tuesday. TheStreet upgraded shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “c+” rating to a “b” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities upped their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 8,719 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.07, for a total transaction of $131,395.33. Following the sale, the director now owns 20,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $301,400. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 27.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Technical Institute

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 1,152.0% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 2,880 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 297.3% in the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,186 shares of the company’s stock valued at $77,000 after acquiring an additional 4,629 shares during the last quarter. AJOVista LLC acquired a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Bfsg LLC bought a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the fourth quarter worth $102,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 28.0% in the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 10,493 shares of the company’s stock valued at $131,000 after purchasing an additional 2,296 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of UTI stock opened at $14.88 on Friday. Universal Technical Institute has a 52-week low of $5.63 and a 52-week high of $16.37. The stock has a market cap of $507.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.23, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.20. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $14.89 and its 200-day moving average is $12.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.11. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 2.41%. The firm had revenue of $174.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $168.19 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute will post 0.7 EPS for the current year.

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.