Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI) Receives $36.20 Average Price Target from Analysts

Shares of Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $37.50.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on UTI shares. Weiss Ratings lowered Universal Technical Institute from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Technical Institute from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 7th. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Universal Technical Institute from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research note on Thursday, February 5th.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UTI opened at $37.27 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $32.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $29.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.42, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Technical Institute has a one year low of $21.29 and a one year high of $40.41.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.08. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 16.98%. The company had revenue of $220.84 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $216.65 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Technical Institute will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Universal Technical Institute

In related news, Director Shannon Lei Okinaka sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.74, for a total transaction of $347,400.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 19,808 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $688,129.92. This trade represents a 33.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 22,671 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.10, for a total transaction of $841,094.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 37,474 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,390,285.40. The trade was a 37.69% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 145,961 shares of company stock worth $5,248,127. Corporate insiders own 9.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 47.6% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 44,564 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,144,000 after buying an additional 14,364 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,226,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 23.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 27,688 shares of the company’s stock valued at $711,000 after acquiring an additional 5,216 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the 1st quarter valued at about $57,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 84,223 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,163,000 after acquiring an additional 9,951 shares during the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Universal Technical Institute

Universal Technical Institute, Inc (NYSE: UTI) is a leading provider of post-secondary education for students pursuing careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, as well as in welding and CNC machining. The company designs and delivers hands-on training through a blend of classroom instruction and experiential lab work, preparing graduates for entry-level positions in the transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors. UTI’s curriculum emphasizes industry-recognized credentials and proprietary coursework developed in collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to ensure alignment with evolving employer needs.

Through a network of campus locations across the United States and select centers in Canada, Universal Technical Institute offers diploma and certificate programs ranging from 36 to 74 weeks in length.