Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI)

Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC trimmed its stake in Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI - Free Report) by 50.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,000 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,000 shares during the period. Villere ST Denis J & Co. LLC's holdings in Universal Technical Institute were worth $385,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UTI. Dumac Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter valued at $43,236,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 194.0% during the 4th quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 1,847,423 shares of the company's stock worth $47,497,000 after purchasing an additional 1,219,052 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 1,377.1% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 518,256 shares of the company's stock worth $13,324,000 after purchasing an additional 483,170 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the 4th quarter worth $7,638,000. Finally, Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the 4th quarter worth $6,685,000. 75.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Lake Street Capital reissued a "buy" rating and set a $38.00 price objective (up from $35.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Friday, March 28th. They set a "buy" rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities reissued a "buy" rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.83.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director George W. Brochick sold 6,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.84, for a total transaction of $191,040.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 32,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,035,309.44. The trade was a 15.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO Todd A. Hitchcock sold 27,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.36, for a total transaction of $917,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 80,521 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,686,180.56. This represents a 25.46% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 33,805 shares of company stock valued at $1,116,995 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 15.10% of the company's stock.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UTI traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $34.43. The stock had a trading volume of 1,446,050 shares, compared to its average volume of 607,778. The company has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion, a PE ratio of 33.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $32.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Universal Technical Institute Inc has a 1 year low of $15.06 and a 1 year high of $36.32.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $207.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $196.63 million. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 7.34% and a return on equity of 21.40%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute Inc will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Universal Technical Institute

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.