Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $15.20.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on UTI shares. Rosenblatt Securities lifted their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. StockNews.com downgraded Universal Technical Institute from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. TheStreet upgraded Universal Technical Institute from a “c+” rating to a “b” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Northland Securities began coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $16.00 price objective on the stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Technical Institute

In other news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 8,719 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.07, for a total transaction of $131,395.33. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $301,400. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 27.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UTI. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Universal Technical Institute in the 3rd quarter valued at $104,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Universal Technical Institute by 1.6% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 277,720 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,327,000 after acquiring an additional 4,503 shares during the last quarter. Premier Fund Managers Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the 3rd quarter valued at about $246,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 426,391 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,573,000 after acquiring an additional 55,608 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 627,893 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,262,000 after acquiring an additional 38,630 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of UTI opened at $14.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $507.11 million, a P/E ratio of 57.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.20. Universal Technical Institute has a 12-month low of $5.63 and a 12-month high of $16.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $14.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.06 by $0.11. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 2.41% and a return on equity of 9.25%. The business had revenue of $174.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.19 million. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute will post 0.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Technical Institute Company Profile

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.