Next Century Growth Investors LLC Acquires 57,990 Shares of Universal Technical Institute Inc $UTI

Key Points

• Next Century Growth Investors LLC increased its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 5.8%, making it the 7th largest holding in their portfolio valued at approximately $26.96 million.
• Universal Technical Institute's stock has shown considerable volatility, with a one-year low of $15.14 and a one-year high of $36.32, currently trading around $27.08.
• Analysts generally have a positive outlook on Universal Technical Institute, with an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.83.

Next Century Growth Investors LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI - Free Report) by 5.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,049,742 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 57,990 shares during the period. Universal Technical Institute makes up 2.4% of Next Century Growth Investors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Next Century Growth Investors LLC owned approximately 1.93% of Universal Technical Institute worth $26,957,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 2.9% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 27,399 shares of the company's stock worth $704,000 after buying an additional 776 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 22,472 shares of the company's stock worth $578,000 after purchasing an additional 777 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 6.5% during the first quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 12,901 shares of the company's stock worth $331,000 after purchasing an additional 783 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 105.0% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,167 shares of the company's stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,110 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of 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. Institutional investors own 75.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on UTI shares. Lake Street Capital reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $38.00 price target (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Truist Financial raised their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered Universal Technical Institute from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $36.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $35.83.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Down 1.0%

Universal Technical Institute stock traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $26.62. The stock had a trading volume of 551,922 shares, compared to its average volume of 976,889. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $30.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.88. Universal Technical Institute Inc has a 1-year low of $15.14 and a 1-year high of $36.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $204.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $200.01 million. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 22.12% and a net margin of 7.79%. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute Inc will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.