Harvest Investment Services LLC Buys New Shares in Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI)

Harvest Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 15,027 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $386,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of UTI. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,745,668 shares of the company's stock valued at $70,591,000 after buying an additional 44,103 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,188,891 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,566,000 after acquiring an additional 6,743 shares in the last quarter. Next Century Growth Investors LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 16.5% during the fourth quarter. Next Century Growth Investors LLC now owns 991,752 shares of the company's stock worth $25,498,000 after acquiring an additional 140,246 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 16.3% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 973,162 shares of the company's stock worth $25,020,000 after acquiring an additional 136,642 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Technical Institute by 9.8% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 952,799 shares of the company's stock worth $15,496,000 after purchasing an additional 85,417 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.67% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 39,446 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 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 company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.59, for a total transaction of $220,720.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 34,917 shares in the company, valued at $963,360.03. The trade was a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 94,524 shares of company stock worth $2,578,450 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 15.10% of the company's stock.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

Shares of UTI stock traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $27.94. The stock had a trading volume of 489,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 564,057. The company has a market cap of $1.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.80, a price-to-earnings-growth 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, Inc. has a 12-month low of $13.66 and a 12-month high of $30.56. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $26.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.69.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Lake Street Capital lifted their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. 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 price target on the stock. Rosenblatt Securities increased their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Northland Securities boosted their target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Six research 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, Universal Technical Institute presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $32.17.

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.