Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) Hits New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $27.47 and last traded at $27.30, with a volume of 367718 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.30.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UTI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Lake Street Capital upped their price objective on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. B. Riley upped their price target on shares of Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Rosenblatt Securities raised their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Barrington Research boosted their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Northland Securities increased their target price on Universal Technical Institute from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $27.17.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The business has a fifty day moving average of $25.92 and a 200-day moving average of $20.40. The company has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 37.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.45.

Insider Activity at Universal Technical Institute

In other Universal Technical Institute news, Director Kenneth R. Trammell sold 30,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.92, for a total value of $777,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 128,205 shares in the company, valued at $3,323,073.60. This trade represents a 18.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 15.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its stake in Universal Technical Institute by 19.7% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 88,222 shares of the company's stock worth $2,268,000 after purchasing an additional 14,517 shares during the period. Pembroke Management LTD grew its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 22.6% in the 4th quarter. Pembroke Management LTD now owns 503,007 shares of the company's stock worth $12,932,000 after buying an additional 92,844 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 26,623 shares of the company's stock worth $684,000 after buying an additional 2,335 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 37.4% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 71,407 shares of the company's stock worth $1,836,000 after acquiring an additional 19,453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Precision Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the 4th quarter valued at about $632,000. Institutional investors own 75.67% of the company's stock.

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.