B. Riley Initiates Coverage on Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI)

Investment analysts at B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) in a research report issued on Friday. The firm set a “buy” rating and a $31.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 17.34% from the company’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on UTI. Northland Securities boosted their target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Lake Street Capital lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Rosenblatt Securities upped their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Barrington Research raised their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $32.17.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

Universal Technical Institute stock opened at $26.42 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a PE ratio of 27.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $27.32 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $23.06. Universal Technical Institute has a one year low of $13.66 and a one year high of $30.56.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.22. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 21.25% and a net margin of 7.08%. As a group, research analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Universal Technical Institute

In other news, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $963,360.03. This represents a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 36,773 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 227,358 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,065,911.44. This trade represents a 13.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 94,219 shares of company stock valued at $2,569,895 in the last quarter. Insiders own 15.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Technical Institute

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Technical Institute during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $188,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 198.0% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 345,772 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,622,000 after purchasing an additional 229,738 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the third quarter worth $348,000. Independent Advisor Alliance acquired a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the third quarter valued at $189,000. Finally, FMR LLC raised its position in Universal Technical Institute by 73,048.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 879,240 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,296,000 after purchasing an additional 878,038 shares during the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.