Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Shares Acquired by Wedge Capital Management L L P NC

Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Free Report) by 30.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 52,664 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,161 shares during the quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC owned approximately 0.10% of Universal Technical Institute worth $1,352,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 15.3% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 90,709 shares of the company's stock worth $2,332,000 after purchasing an additional 12,017 shares during the last quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 46.4% in the 4th quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 95,410 shares of the company's stock worth $2,453,000 after acquiring an additional 30,250 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 37.4% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 71,407 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,836,000 after acquiring an additional 19,453 shares during the period. Pier Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Pier Capital LLC now owns 566,663 shares of the company's stock valued at $14,569,000 after acquiring an additional 13,281 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 8.6% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 373,754 shares of the company's stock worth $9,609,000 after purchasing an additional 29,755 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.67% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Todd A. Hitchcock sold 27,500 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.36, for a total value of $917,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 80,521 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,686,180.56. This trade represents a 25.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 39,446 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.85, for a total value of $1,098,571.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 177,912 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,954,849.20. The trade was a 18.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 120,024 shares of company stock valued at $3,466,170. Company insiders own 15.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Barrington Research reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $36.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday. 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 note on Thursday, May 22nd. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Lake Street Capital reiterated 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. Finally, B. Riley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Friday, March 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $31.00 price objective for the company. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Technical Institute has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $35.83.

Universal Technical Institute Trading Up 1.9%

NYSE:UTI traded up $0.64 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $33.65. 640,806 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 599,339. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. has a 12-month low of $13.66 and a 12-month high of $36.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm's fifty day moving average is $31.37 and its 200-day moving average is $28.24.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.07. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 21.25% and a net margin of 7.08%. The company had revenue of $207.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $196.63 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 EPS for the current 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.