Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Stock Price Down 5.3% - Time to Sell?

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 5.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $34.13 and last traded at $33.48. Approximately 55,544 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 91% from the average daily volume of 590,716 shares. The stock had previously closed at $35.36.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UTI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Rosenblatt Securities restated a "buy" rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday. 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 target price on the stock. Finally, Lake Street Capital restated a "buy" rating and issued a $38.00 target price (up from $35.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Technical Institute currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.83.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.79 billion, a PE ratio of 33.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The company's fifty day moving average price is $31.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.18.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.07. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 7.08% and a return on equity of 21.25%. The business had revenue of $207.45 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $196.63 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Universal Technical Institute

In related news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 36,773 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.68, for a total value of $981,103.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 227,358 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,065,911.44. This trade represents a 13.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, COO Todd A. Hitchcock sold 27,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.36, for a total transaction of $917,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 80,521 shares in the company, valued at $2,686,180.56. The trade was a 25.46% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 120,024 shares of company stock worth $3,466,170. Company insiders own 15.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 24.4% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,977 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 105.0% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,167 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 1,110 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the first quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ acquired a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the first quarter valued at approximately $61,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the first quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.67% of the company's stock.

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.