Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Shares Gap Up – Time to Buy?

Shares of Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI) gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $36.60, but opened at $39.54. Universal Technical Institute shares last traded at $39.4250, with a volume of 271,186 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 7th. B. Riley Financial reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Griffin Securities set a $49.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $44.25.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

The company’s 50-day moving average price is $36.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $31.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market cap of $2.19 billion, a PE ratio of 51.74, a PEG ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $221.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $221.61 million. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 4.91% and a return on equity of 13.02%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Technical Institute Inc will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Shannon Lei Okinaka sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s 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 sale, the director owned 19,808 shares in the company, valued at approximately $688,129.92. This trade represents a 33.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 22,671 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.10, for a total transaction of $841,094.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 37,474 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,390,285.40. This trade represents a 37.69% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 159,211 shares of company stock worth $5,744,337. Corporate insiders own 9.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UTI. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 543.5% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 888 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its position in Universal Technical Institute by 187.5% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,446 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Universal Technical Institute in the 1st quarter worth $57,000. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the third quarter worth $92,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

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.