Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Reaches New 12-Month Low - What's Next?

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $27.35 and last traded at $28.07, with a volume of 583417 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $28.22.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on UTI. B. Riley assumed coverage on Universal Technical Institute in a research note on Friday, March 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $31.00 target price for the company. Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and set a $35.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Rosenblatt Securities increased their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Lake Street Capital lifted their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Northland Securities upped their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Technical Institute currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $32.17.

Universal Technical Institute Trading Up 3.0 %

The stock's 50 day moving average is $27.05 and its 200-day moving average is $25.19. The company has a market cap of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.34, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.22. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 7.08% and a return on equity of 21.25%. Research analysts anticipate that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.95, for a total transaction of $269,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 157,663 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,249,017.85. This trade represents a 5.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.59, for a total value of $220,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 34,917 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $963,360.03. This trade represents a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 94,524 shares of company stock valued at $2,578,450. Corporate insiders own 15.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,977 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 388 shares during the last quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance increased its position in Universal Technical Institute by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 12,157 shares of the company's stock valued at $313,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 2.9% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 27,399 shares of the company's stock valued at $704,000 after acquiring an additional 776 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% in 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 last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 105.0% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,167 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,110 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.67% of the company's stock.

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.