Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) Stake Lowered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) by 23.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,837 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,578 shares during the period. Universal Technical Institute accounts for 1.7% of Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. owned 0.06% of Universal Technical Institute worth $348,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Washington University acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter valued at $35,886,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter valued at $949,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,840,356 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,041,000 after purchasing an additional 63,445 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 1st quarter valued at $802,000. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Technical Institute in the 4th quarter valued at $544,000. 75.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Technical Institute Stock Performance

Shares of UTI traded up $0.08 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $16.46. 336,822 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 619,152. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $15.07 and its 200 day moving average is $14.55. The stock has a market cap of $885.56 million, a P/E ratio of 45.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. Universal Technical Institute, Inc. has a 1-year low of $6.45 and a 1-year high of $17.09.

Universal Technical Institute (NYSE:UTI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.15 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $184.18 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $177.01 million. Universal Technical Institute had a return on equity of 10.55% and a net margin of 2.97%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Universal Technical Institute from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. B. Riley reissued a “buy” rating and set a $22.00 target price (up previously from $20.00) on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities reissued a “buy” rating and set a $18.00 target price on shares of Universal Technical Institute in a research report on Monday, April 29th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Technical Institute currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $17.40.

Insider Activity at Universal Technical Institute

In other news, Director Loretta Lydia Sanchez sold 6,288 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.22, for a total transaction of $95,703.36. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 13,712 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $208,696.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 27.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.