Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Sets New 12-Month High – Here’s Why

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $27.47 and last traded at $27.30, with a volume of 367718 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.30.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on UTI shares. Lake Street Capital raised their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Barrington Research upped their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. B. Riley boosted their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Northland Securities raised their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $27.17.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Down 1.3 %

The stock has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 37.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $25.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Kenneth R. Trammell sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.92, for a total value of $777,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 128,205 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,323,073.60. This represents a 18.96 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 15.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Technical Institute

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UTI. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 19.7% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 88,222 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,268,000 after acquiring an additional 14,517 shares during the period. Pembroke Management LTD boosted its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 22.6% in the 4th quarter. Pembroke Management LTD now owns 503,007 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,932,000 after purchasing an additional 92,844 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 9.6% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 26,623 shares of the company’s stock valued at $684,000 after buying an additional 2,335 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 37.4% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 71,407 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,836,000 after buying an additional 19,453 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Precision Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the fourth quarter worth $632,000. 75.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Technical Institute Company 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.