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

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on UTI. Lake Street Capital restated a "buy" rating and set a $38.00 price objective (up from $35.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, May 8th. B. Riley began coverage on Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Friday, March 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $31.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barrington Research lifted their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $35.83.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

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 stock's 50-day moving average is $30.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.01. The stock has a market cap of $1.82 billion, a PE ratio of 34.47, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.61.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $207.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $196.63 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Universal Technical Institute

In related news, Director George W. Brochick sold 6,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.84, for a total transaction of $191,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 32,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,035,309.44. The trade was a 15.58% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 39,446 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.85, for a total value of $1,098,571.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 177,912 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 quarter, insiders have sold 120,024 shares of company stock valued at $3,466,170. 15.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UTI. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 19,453 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 26,623 shares of the company's stock valued at $684,000 after buying an additional 2,335 shares during the last quarter. Pembroke Management LTD increased its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 22.6% in the 4th quarter. Pembroke Management LTD now owns 503,007 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,932,000 after buying an additional 92,844 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its position in Universal Technical Institute by 19.7% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 88,222 shares of the company's stock worth $2,268,000 after buying an additional 14,517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter worth $79,000. 75.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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