Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Upgraded to “Hold” at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $36.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities restated a “buy” rating and issued a $36.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, February 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $36.20.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

Universal Technical Institute stock opened at $34.99 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.31. Universal Technical Institute has a one year low of $21.29 and a one year high of $38.02. The business has a fifty day moving average of $29.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Technical Institute

In other Universal Technical Institute news, COO Todd A. Hitchcock sold 16,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.33, for a total transaction of $615,945.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 104,084 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,885,455.72. This trade represents a 13.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Jerome Alan Grant sold 60,040 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.95, for a total transaction of $2,098,398.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 430,215 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,036,014.25. The trade was a 12.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 130,961 shares of company stock valued at $4,717,777 in the last quarter. Insiders own 9.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $383,000 after buying an additional 367 shares in the last quarter. Leuthold Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Leuthold Group LLC now owns 141,748 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,704,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 2.1% in the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 21,034 shares of the company’s stock worth $685,000 after acquiring an additional 441 shares during the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 4.3% in the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 12,299 shares of the company’s stock valued at $417,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SkyView Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 1.2% in the second quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 42,404 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,460,000 after acquiring an additional 506 shares in the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Technical Institute Company Profile

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.