Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 714,746 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 18% from the previous session's volume of 604,680 shares.The stock last traded at $15.92 and had previously closed at $15.41.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UTI. Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Technical Institute from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Rosenblatt Securities reissued a "buy" rating and set a $18.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Monday. TheStreet raised Universal Technical Institute from a "c+" rating to a "b" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Northland Securities began coverage on Universal Technical Institute in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $16.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $15.40.

Universal Technical Institute Trading Up 1.3 %

The company has a fifty day moving average of $14.95 and a 200-day moving average of $13.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $531.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.27, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.22.

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

Insider Transactions at Universal Technical Institute

In other news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 8,719 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.07, for a total value of $131,395.33. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $301,400. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 27.60% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 1,152.0% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,130 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 2,880 shares during the last quarter. 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 purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the fourth quarter valued at about $78,000. Bfsg LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Technical Institute during the fourth quarter worth about $102,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 28.0% during the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 10,493 shares of the company's stock worth $131,000 after purchasing an additional 2,296 shares in the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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