Brokerages Set Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) PT at $17.40

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $17.40.

A number of analysts have recently commented on UTI shares. StockNews.com downgraded Universal Technical Institute from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $20.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $18.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Monday, April 29th. Finally, B. Riley reissued a “buy” rating and set a $22.00 target price (up previously from $20.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, May 30th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Technical Institute

In related news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 6,288 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction on Friday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.22, for a total transaction of $95,703.36. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,712 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $208,696.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 27.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Technical Institute

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UTI. Washington University bought a new position in shares of Universal Technical Institute during the fourth quarter worth about $35,886,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 55.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,375,929 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,872,000 after buying an additional 842,765 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,840,356 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,041,000 after acquiring an additional 63,445 shares in the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 437,677 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,480,000 after acquiring an additional 11,286 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 341.1% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 334,332 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,329,000 after acquiring an additional 258,532 shares in the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Up 0.2 %

UTI opened at $13.87 on Friday. Universal Technical Institute has a 12 month low of $6.34 and a 12 month high of $17.09. The business has a 50-day moving average of $15.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $746.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.24.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.15 by ($0.01). Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 2.97% and a return on equity of 10.55%. The company had revenue of $184.18 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $177.01 million. On average, research analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute will post 0.71 earnings per share 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.