Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Receives $15.20 Average Price Target from Analysts

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the six brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $15.20.

UTI has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Technical Institute from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. TheStreet raised shares of Universal Technical Institute from a "c+" rating to a "b" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Barrington Research boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $15.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $16.00 price objective for the company.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Down 8.2 %

Shares of UTI traded down $1.31 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $14.63. The company had a trading volume of 684,416 shares, compared to its average volume of 676,670. The company's 50 day moving average price is $14.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.06. The stock has a market cap of $498.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.27, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.20. Universal Technical Institute has a 52 week low of $5.63 and a 52 week high of $16.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $174.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.19 million. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 2.41% and a return on equity of 9.25%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute will post 0.7 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Technical Institute news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 8,719 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.07, for a total value of $131,395.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $301,400. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 27.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 1,152.0% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,130 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 2,880 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 1st quarter worth approximately $47,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 297.3% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,186 shares of the company's stock worth $77,000 after acquiring an additional 4,629 shares during the period. AJOVista LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter worth approximately $78,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. 75.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.