B. Riley Initiates Coverage on Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI)

Analysts at B. Riley started coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday. The firm set a “buy” rating and a $31.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 22.26% from the stock’s current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on UTI. Lake Street Capital boosted their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Northland Securities lifted their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Barrington Research upped their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities lifted their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $32.17.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Down 4.3 %

Shares of UTI opened at $25.36 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $27.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.17. Universal Technical Institute has a one year low of $13.66 and a one year high of $30.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.14, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.49.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.22. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 7.08% and a return on equity of 21.25%. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Technical Institute will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Technical Institute

In related news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.95, for a total transaction of $269,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 157,663 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,249,017.85. This trade represents a 5.96 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.59, for a total transaction of $220,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 34,917 shares in the company, valued at $963,360.03. The trade was a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 94,219 shares of company stock worth $2,569,895 over the last quarter. 15.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 24.4% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,977 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance boosted its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 12,157 shares of the company’s stock valued at $313,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 22,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $578,000 after acquiring an additional 777 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 23,962 shares of the company’s stock worth $616,000 after purchasing an additional 1,294 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 9.5% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 23,928 shares of the company’s stock worth $389,000 after purchasing an additional 2,083 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 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.