Two Sigma Advisers LP Cuts Position in Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI)

Two Sigma Advisers LP reduced its position in Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) by 15.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 17,000 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,200 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP’s holdings in Universal Technical Institute were worth $437,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dumac Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the fourth quarter valued at $43,236,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 194.0% during the fourth 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 during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Universal Technical Institute by 1,377.1% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 518,256 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,324,000 after buying an additional 483,170 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,638,000. Finally, Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the 4th quarter valued at about $6,685,000. Institutional investors own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UTI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Lake Street Capital restated a “buy” rating and set a $38.00 price objective (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Barrington Research increased their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Friday, March 28th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $35.83.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

UTI stock opened at $35.66 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $30.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $27.71. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. has a 1-year low of $13.66 and a 1-year high of $36.32. The company has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.76, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $207.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $196.63 million. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 21.25% and a net margin of 7.08%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Todd A. Hitchcock sold 27,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.36, for a total transaction of $917,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 80,521 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,686,180.56. This represents a 25.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 39,446 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.85, for a total value of $1,098,571.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 177,912 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,954,849.20. The trade was a 18.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 120,024 shares of company stock valued at $3,466,170. Company insiders own 15.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Technical Institute 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.