Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Stock Jumps 12.2% – Time to Buy?

Universal Technical Institute Inc (NYSE:UTI)’s stock price was up 12.2% during mid-day trading on Monday. The stock traded as high as $21.81 and last traded at $22.3690. Approximately 127,890 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 89% from the average session volume of 1,168,484 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.93.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UTI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $47.00 to $38.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, August 6th. B. Riley Financial reduced their target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. Northland Securities set a $35.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, Texas Capital cut shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $42.33.

Universal Technical Institute Trading Up 5.5%

The stock has a market cap of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of 37.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $20.84 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Technical Institute

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UTI. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $323,080,000. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the second quarter valued at $46,879,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 0.7% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,296,989 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,826,000 after purchasing an additional 9,153 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 18.7% in the second quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 1,075,771 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,011,000 after purchasing an additional 169,513 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royce & Associates LP increased its position in Universal Technical Institute by 12.1% in the third quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 1,343,507 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,083,000 after purchasing an additional 145,363 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.67% of the company’s stock.

Universal Technical Institute Company Profile

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI) is a provider of career-focused postsecondary education and training. Founded in 1965, the company prepares students for careers in transportation, skilled trades and health care through campus-based and online programs. UTI’s transportation and skilled-trades programs cover areas such as automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technology, welding, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and robotics and automation. Programs are offered through brands including Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute and MIAT College of Technology.