Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Stock Position Raised by Pier Capital LLC

Pier Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) by 2.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 566,663 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 13,281 shares during the period. Universal Technical Institute comprises approximately 2.1% of Pier Capital LLC’s holdings, making the stock its largest position. Pier Capital LLC owned approximately 1.04% of Universal Technical Institute worth $14,569,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 856,091 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,920,000 after purchasing an additional 29,461 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased 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 valued at $15,496,000 after buying an additional 85,417 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in Universal Technical Institute by 362.4% in the fourth quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 376,929 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,691,000 after acquiring an additional 295,408 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 37.4% during 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Guardian Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 5,347.0% during the 3rd quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 86,553 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,407,000 after acquiring an additional 84,964 shares during the last quarter. 75.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

Shares of Universal Technical Institute stock opened at $27.38 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. has a 52 week low of $13.66 and a 52 week high of $30.56. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $27.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.93. The company has a market capitalization of $1.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.23, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.49.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, topping 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, analysts expect that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Technical Institute news, EVP Sherrell Smith sold 36,773 shares of the business’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 owns 227,358 shares in the company, valued at $6,065,911.44. The trade was a 13.92 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director George W. Brochick sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $963,360.03. This trade represents a 18.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 84,219 shares of company stock worth $2,300,395. 15.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UTI has been the subject of several analyst reports. Northland Securities upped their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Lake Street Capital upped their price target on Universal Technical Institute from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Barrington Research lifted their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price objective on Universal Technical Institute from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $31.17.

About Universal Technical Institute

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.