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Company to Showcase Newest Campus and Growing Skilled Trades Platform at UTI-Atlanta Campus Day for Investors on December 17, 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the "Company"), a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs, will hold a conference call on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended September 30, 2026.

The Company's CEO, Jerome Grant, and CFO, Bruce Schuman, will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Conference Call Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-844-881-0138
International dial-in number: 1-412-317-6790

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through November 25, 2026.

Toll-free replay number: 1-855-669-9658
International replay number: 1-412-317-0088
Replay ID: 2646579

UTI-Atlanta Campus Day for Investors
The Company will host a Campus Day for investors at UTI-Atlanta on Thursday, December 17, 2026. The event will include a tour of the Company's newest state-of-the-industry campus featuring eight in-demand skilled trade program offerings. The tour will be followed by a question-and-answer session with CEO Jerome Grant, CFO Bruce Schuman, and EVP of Strategy, Growth and Operations Todd Hitchcock.

UTI-Atlanta is the Company's first comprehensive skilled trades campus in Georgia, occupying 117,000 square feet and offering training across automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, HVACR and welding. At maturity, the campus is expected to serve more than 1,500 students annually and generate more than $40 million in annual revenue.

Campus Day Date: Thursday, December 17, 2026
Where: 7100 Highlands Pkwy SE, Smyrna, GA 30082

Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Founded in 1965, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs. The company's industry-aligned programs are offered at 35 campuses nationwide and online under the brands Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges and include auto/diesel, aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical and energy, allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic training. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu; LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges; or X at @news_UTI and @ConcordeCareer.

Investor Relations Contact:
Ralf Esper
Gateway Group, Inc.
(949) 574-3860
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Susan Aspey
Corporate Affairs
Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
(202) 549-0534
[email protected] 

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Consolidated Results of Operations, As Reported and As Adjusted – Three-month periods ended  September 3 0 , 202 6 and 202 5 : KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) announced today that its reported net income attributable to UHS was $308.7 million, or $5.22 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2026, as compared to $373.0 million, or $5.86 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2025.

Ribbon-cutting event brings together regional leaders, employers and community partners to mark company's investment in Georgia's workforce

, /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs, recently celebrated its new UTI-Atlanta campus with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. More than 100 regional leaders, employers and community partners attended the event marking the company's first campus in Georgia.

UTI-Atlanta celebrated its ribbon cutting with local elected officials and business partners. "The talent to fill millions of jobs nationwide is in short supply," said Todd Hitchcock, EVP of Strategy, Growth and Operations at Universal Technical Institute, Inc., during remarks at the ceremony. "Georgia is projected to have more than 10,000 annual job openings across the skilled trades taught at our newest campus, underscoring the critical need for highly trained, job-ready professionals to support the state's growing economy. We look forward to working with leaders across the Atlanta region to connect them with skilled-collar workers who will be prepared to immediately make an impact in their chosen fields."  

Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton noted the opportunities the new campus will create for the region, saying: "The ribbon cutting of Universal Technical Institute's new Atlanta campus in Smyrna comes at an important moment for our region. Nationally and locally, we're seeing increased recognition of the need for skilled trades professionals, alongside a shift among high school students who are taking a closer look at technical education and careers in these in-demand fields. UTI-Atlanta brings those two trends together, creating new pathways for students to build valuable skills and pursue meaningful careers while helping our region's employers develop the workforce they need for continued growth."

UTI-Atlanta is the company's first campus in Georgia. The 150,000-square-foot facility at 7100 Highlands Parkway SE is designed to serve approximately 1,500 students at scale and offers training in automotive, diesel, aviation, electrical, robotics and automation, HVACR and welding.

Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber, noted, "Universal Technical Institute's decision to open its first Georgia campus right here in Cobb County is an exciting investment in our community and our future workforce. Access to skilled talent is critical to attracting and retaining businesses and driving economic opportunities, and we are proud to welcome Universal Technical Institute to Smyrna and look forward to the tremendous impact this campus will have on Cobb County and the entire state."

Industry partners also emphasized the role the campus will play in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.

"At NAPA, we believe one of the most important investments we can make is in the people who will keep our communities moving," said Danny Huffaker, SVP Product & Marketing, NAPA. "Our partnership with Universal Technical Institute will help create pathways to rewarding careers in the skilled trades and strengthen the pipeline of technicians our industry needs. We're proud to further that commitment with $75,000 in scholarships dedicated to students at UTI's new Atlanta campus. With the NAPA corporate headquarters here in Atlanta, this partnership gives us a meaningful opportunity to invest in the next generation of automotive professionals in our hometown."

Closing the program, UTI-Atlanta leadership reflected on the strong support the campus has received from the community since announcing its arrival. 

"From the beginning, we've felt incredibly welcomed by the Smyrna and greater Atlanta community," said Tod Gibbs, Campus President, UTI-Atlanta. "We look forward to being a strong partner here, preparing students with practical skills while supporting the employers and industries that help drive this region forward."

Last year, Universal Technical Institute announced plans to open another campus in the Atlanta Metro region that will focus on healthcare and dental training programs. Concorde Career College-Atlanta will open in 2027 pending all regulatory approvals.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Founded in 1965, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs. The company's industry-aligned programs are offered at 35 campuses nationwide and online under the brands Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges and include auto/diesel, aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical and energy, allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic training. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu; LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges; or X at @news_UTI and @ConcordeCareer.

Media Contact 
Alanna Vitucci
[email protected] 
480.710.6843

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

Active negotiations include energy-sector opportunities as TRWD looks to expand alongside its growing adult hospitality business, building a diversified portfolio of revenue-producing companies with significant growth potential and opportunities for future spin-offs and senior exchange listings.

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 15, 2026 / Tradewinds Universal (OTCID:TRWD) today announced that it is actively pursuing opportunities to expand its holdings into additional industries, including the energy sector, as management advances an ambitious strategy to build a diversified, multi-industry holding company.

The initiative follows a series of business opportunities presented to Tradewinds across multiple sectors. The Company is leveraging its position as a publicly traded holding company, its expanding business relationships, and the specialized expertise of its current and future board members to identify and pursue established businesses with significant revenue and growth potential.

Importantly, this expansion is not a pivot away from the Company's existing business model. Tradewinds remains fully committed to its previously announced adult hospitality licensing and acquisition strategy. Instead, management sees an opportunity to build on that foundation while pursuing additional holdings capable of contributing substantial revenue and long-term shareholder value.

A Bigger Vision for Tradewinds Universal

"We've reached a point where it has become increasingly apparent that Tradewinds has the potential to become much more than originally envisioned," said Andrew Read, CEO of Tradewinds Universal. "Our adult hospitality strategy remains a major priority, and we're extremely optimistic about its future. But we're also being presented with opportunities in other industries that are simply too compelling to ignore."

"Being a public holding company gives us the flexibility to pursue these opportunities, particularly when we have qualified people with the experience and relationships necessary to execute. We see no reason to limit Tradewinds to one industry when the potential exists to build something substantially larger."

Adult Hospitality Expansion Continues

Tradewinds continues advancing its strategy to build a network of more than 100 participating adult hospitality and entertainment venues through a combination of acquisitions, technology licensing, and revenue-producing services.

The Company's recently announced licensing agreements in Latin America and the United States mark important progress toward that objective, with licensing revenue expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Central to this expansion is Alan Chang, an advisor of Tradewinds and the founder and CEO of The Peppermint Hippo, one of the nation's fastest-growing adult hospitality brands. Chang brings more than two decades of industry experience, including a track record of acquiring, revitalizing, and expanding nightlife venues into successful entertainment destinations.

Through Chang's leadership and the Company's relationships with operators associated with The Hippo and other established entertainment brands, Tradewinds continues expanding its reach in adult hospitality while developing additional acquisition opportunities.

This established operating expertise and expanding licensing platform remain fundamental components of TRWD's growth strategy as the Company simultaneously pursues opportunities in other sectors.

Energy Among Industries Under Active Negotiation

One of the sectors currently under active negotiation is energy, an industry in which CEO Andrew Read brings more than two decades of business and technical experience.

Read founded Voltage River in 2011, a Southern California solar-electric and energy-management company specializing in solar generation, battery storage, and advanced energy solutions. Throughout his career, Read has been involved in the design and development of hundreds of residential and commercial solar-electric and battery systems, helping customers reduce energy costs and improve energy independence.

His experience extends beyond renewable energy into public-safety and infrastructure communications. Before founding Voltage River, Read worked with Motorola's broadband radio division, helping develop the nationwide public-safety market, and with broadband communications technology supporting government and municipal infrastructure applications, including SCADA systems.

This combination of entrepreneurial experience, energy-sector expertise, and technical knowledge provides Tradewinds with an established foundation for evaluating and developing opportunities in the energy industry.

"Energy is an industry I know extremely well," Read stated. "I've spent more than two decades building businesses, developing energy solutions, and working with advanced technologies. From solar and energy storage to complex infrastructure applications, I understand the industry, the economics, and the opportunities. We're now putting that experience to work as we pursue businesses that can become valuable additions to Tradewinds. With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence driving unprecedented demand for energy and power infrastructure, we see a tremendous opportunity for Tradewinds to capitalize on this rapidly expanding market."

Acquiring Revenue, Not Just Assets

A central component of Tradewinds' expanded strategy is its focus on established, revenue-producing businesses with substantial growth potential.

The Company is targeting acquisitions that can contribute financially to its operations rather than create an ongoing drain on corporate resources. Acquisition criteria include existing revenue, operating performance, scalability, and experienced management teams capable of supporting continued expansion.

An important element of this strategy is identifying holdings with the potential to eventually operate as independent publicly traded companies. Tradewinds intends to evaluate future spin-off opportunities, with the objective of positioning qualifying businesses for potential listings on senior national securities exchanges, including Nasdaq or the NYSE.

This structure could create an additional pathway for unlocking shareholder value by allowing individual businesses to establish independent market valuations while Tradewinds continues developing its broader portfolio. Any future spin-off or exchange listing would remain subject to applicable approvals, listing requirements, and market conditions.

The Company will also utilize the specialized knowledge and industry relationships of its existing leadership and prospective board members to identify opportunities where experienced management can contribute directly to operational success.

Positioning Tradewinds for Its Next Stage of Growth

Tradewinds is moving forward with a broader corporate strategy designed to establish multiple revenue streams across distinct industries while preserving the momentum of its existing adult hospitality platform.

"Our objective isn't simply to acquire more businesses. It's to acquire the right businesses," Read explained. "We want established operations capable of generating meaningful revenue, with the potential to grow into significant holdings in their own right. We're focused on building a portfolio of businesses that can contribute to the Company's financial strength from the outset."

Read concluded, "We are continuing to execute on everything we've already set out to accomplish, but our ambitions for Tradewinds have grown. We envision a company with multiple significant revenue-producing holdings, each with the potential to grow, expand, and perhaps one day stand independently as a publicly traded company on a senior exchange. We're not just looking at the next acquisition. We're looking at what each business could become five or ten years from now. This is an exciting new chapter for Tradewinds, and we're just getting started."

The Company expects to provide additional updates as negotiations advance and potential transactions develop.

About Tradewinds Universal

Tradewinds Universal (OTCID: TRWD) is a holding company focused on acquiring and scaling adult hospitality businesses and related technologies. The Company is pursuing consolidation of a fragmented industry while developing a platform designed to support a growing network of venues through acquisitions, licensing, payment systems and management services.

The Company's strategy draws on industry experience and relationships that include operators of The Peppermint Hippo while expanding beyond any single venue group. TRWD's communications technology platform and developing payment infrastructure are designed to provide additional revenue opportunities and support the Company's expansion throughout the broader nightlife and adult hospitality industries.

Beyond hospitality, Tradewinds is actively pursuing revenue-producing holdings in additional sectors, including energy, as part of its broader multi-industry growth strategy. The Company is focused on developing a diversified portfolio of scalable businesses, with the potential for future spin-offs and independent senior exchange listings.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's existing licensing agreements, anticipated revenue generation, business expansion, potential acquisitions, negotiations involving additional industry sectors, energy-related opportunities, diversification, potential future spin-offs, potential uplistings or listings on senior national securities exchanges, and future operating performance.

These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Discussions and negotiations involving potential acquisitions or business opportunities do not constitute definitive agreements or guarantee that any transaction will be completed. The Company's ability to generate revenue and successfully expand its holdings will depend on due diligence, financing, contractual terms, market conditions, regulatory requirements, successful integration and operation of acquired businesses, and other factors.

There can be no assurance that anticipated revenues, additional agreements, acquisitions, potential spin-offs, senior exchange listings, or other strategic objectives will be achieved. Any potential exchange listing would be subject to applicable listing standards, regulatory requirements and approvals. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Contact

Rocco Fuerte
Investor Relations
Tradewinds Universal
(619) 483-1008

SOURCE: Tradewinds Universal

EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $OLED #OLED--UDC announced its results for the third quarter, ended September 30, 2026, will be released on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Universal Health Realty Income Trust is upgraded to 'Buy' with a $39.50/share price target after the stock fell to my suggested entry point. UHT's Q2 2026 FFO rose 5.88% year-on-year, driven by lower interest costs, not revenue growth, and the dividend remains well-covered with an 8.1% yield. Key risks include UHS tenant concentration (40% of revenue), expiring interest rate swaps, and upcoming lease expirations at two medical centers.

Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV – Get Free Report)’s share price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $50.48 and traded as low as $41.54. Universal shares last traded at $42.2690, with a volume of 355,699 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on UVV shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Universal from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Universal from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, September 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal has an average rating of “Reduce”.

View Our Latest Report on UVV

Universal Stock Up 0.2% The company has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 54.90, a P/E/G ratio of 13.27 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $46.04 and a 200-day moving average of $50.48. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. Universal (NYSE:UVV – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by ($0.43). Universal had a return on equity of 3.50% and a net margin of 0.67%.The business had revenue of $523.78 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $587.00 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Corporation will post 3.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 12th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. Universal’s dividend payout ratio is presently 431.17%.

Insider Transactions at Universal In other news, Director Lennart Freeman sold 1,782 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.82, for a total value of $88,779.24. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 16,935 shares in the company, valued at approximately $843,701.70. The trade was a 9.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal by 67.1% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 518 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC raised its stake in Universal by 2.7% in the second quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 23,641 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,233,000 after buying an additional 630 shares during the last quarter. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Universal in the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Universal by 30.9% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,980 shares of the company’s stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 940 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal by 0.6% during the first quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 329,488 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,364,000 after acquiring an additional 1,810 shares during the last quarter. 81.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Universal (Get Free Report)

Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global leaf tobacco supplier and processor. Through its operating companies, the company purchases tobacco from growers, processes and blends leaf, and supplies tobacco products and related materials to manufacturers of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and other tobacco products. Its services include crop contracting, agricultural support, curing, processing, storage, packaging and logistics.

Founded in 1918 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal has developed an international network of tobacco sourcing, processing and distribution operations.

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myKaarma's digital multi-point inspection technology to be integrated into automotive technician training at no cost

LONG BEACH, Calif. and ATLANTA, /PRNewswire/ -- myKaarma, the leading customer interaction and payments platform for automotive dealerships, today announced a pilot with Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs.

The pilot will integrate myKaarma's digital multi-point inspection technology into the automotive technician training program at Universal Technical Institute's new Atlanta campus. myKaarma is providing its software at no cost for the pilot.

"The strong demand for technicians continues to put pressure on dealerships, making it even more important that new technicians enter the workforce ready for the realities of the job," said Ujj Nath, CEO of myKaarma. "Working with UTI-Atlanta brings our technology directly into the classroom and gives students experience with the digital processes that are now part of the technician's job."

"We continue to evolve our training programs to reflect the reality of today's dealership service departments," said John Dodson, Vice President of Business Alliances, Universal Technical Institute. "This pilot with myKaarma positions their technology alongside the technical instruction, so our students have more context about how the work they're doing on the vehicle fits into the broader service process."

The pilot will build on UTI-Atlanta's technical training by adding more of the digital skills used every day in dealership service departments. Along with mechanical expertise, dealership technicians document inspections, explain recommended repairs to customers and use digital platforms throughout the service process. Students will be progressively introduced to the features of the myKaarma platform as they advance through their courses.

By the program's capstone course, students will use myKaarma across a more complete service lane workflow, conducting full multi-point inspections, developing expanded repair recommendations, and preparing detailed parts and labor estimates. They will also begin using Invisible Service Videos to document vehicle conditions and communicate recommended services to customers.

About myKaarma 
myKaarma is a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions that transform the after-sales service experience at automotive dealerships. Its integrated platform includes communications, appointment scheduling, payments, video inspections, and analytics tools used by thousands of dealers to increase efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability. For more information, visit mykaarma.com.

About Universal Technical Institute 
Founded in 1965, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs. The company's industry-aligned programs are offered at 35 campuses nationwide and online under the brands Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges and include auto/diesel, aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical and energy, allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic training. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu; LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges; or X at @news_UTI and @ConcordeCareer.

Media Contacts
Laurie Halter
Charisma! Communications
503-816-2474
[email protected]

Alanna Vitucci
Universal Technical Institute
[email protected] 

SOURCE myKaarma

Company's seventh location in Texas and first campus dedicated exclusively to skilled trades training programs

, /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs, recently celebrated the opening of its new UTI-San Antonio campus with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The event was attended by public officials, community leaders, and employer partners who honored the company's ongoing commitment to addressing workforce development needs in the state of Texas.

UTI-San Antonio celebrates its official ribbon cutting.

Attendees visited the aviation lab and learned more about the skilled trades programs offered at UTI-San Antonio. "Interest in skilled trades education continues to grow as students weigh the cost of education against career opportunities, time to employment and long-term job stability," said Kevin Prehn, SVP and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. "As artificial intelligence and automation reshape parts of the workforce, many students are seeking careers that emphasize technical expertise, critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving. UTI-San Antonio's programs will help prepare graduates for the demands of the ever-evolving workforce."  

Universal Technical Institute has a long history of working with Texas's employers to support their talent pipelines. The company now has seven campuses in the state across its two brands of UTI and Concorde Career Colleges. 

UTI-San Antonio opened this spring to stronger-than-expected demand, with new student starts at approximately 25 percent ahead of the launch model. The campus, which will serve up to 800 students at scale, is the company's first campus dedicated exclusively to the skilled trades, with programs in aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical, industrial maintenance, robotics and wind energy.

"San Antonio was a natural choice for this expansion," said Dr. Chris Finn, UTI-San Antonio Campus President. "The region has a strong workforce, a thriving economy and employers who recognize the value of skilled trades education. We are proud to provide students with industry-aligned training that helps prepare them for rewarding careers while supporting local workforce needs."

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
Founded in 1965, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades, healthcare and dental education programs. The company's industry-aligned programs are offered at 35 campuses nationwide and online under the brands Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges and include auto/diesel, aviation, welding, HVACR, electrical and energy, allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic training. For more information, visit www.uti.edu or www.concorde.edu; LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges; or X at @news_UTI and @ConcordeCareer.

Media Contact
Alanna Vitucci
[email protected]

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Music Group N.V. (EURONEXT: UMG) ("UMG" or "the Company") today announced that in the period from August 31, 2026 up to and including September 4, 2026, a total of 294,340 of its own shares were repurchased by the Company at an average price per share of €14.65 for a total consideration of €4,311,034. These repurchases have been made as part of the Company's additional €250 million share buyback program as announced on August 6, 2026. Up to and including September 4, 2026, a total of 16,552,027 shares were repurchased under the share buyback program for a total consideration of €249,999,946. The Company has now completed the share buyback program.

The Company has published on a weekly basis an overview (in aggregated form) of the progress of the share buyback program on its website: https://investors.universalmusic.com/share-information/share-buyback/

Cautionary Notice

This press release is issued in connection with the disclosure and reporting obligations set out in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 (each as amended).

About Universal Music Group

At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.

Contacts

Media
James Steven - [email protected]

Investors
Erika Begun – [email protected]

SOURCE Universal Music Group N.V.

Consumer goods may not be the most exciting corner of the market, but that's part of their appeal. While investors these days chase the next big technology story, some of the more interesting opportunities can be hiding in plain sight. They're hiding in companies that generate cash, pay dividends, and make investments that could take a few years to fully pay off.

Here are three value stocks to consider for September.

1. Universal Corporation keeps stretching a 56-year dividend streak Universal Corporation (UVV -1.41%) is a business-to-business agri-products company best known for sourcing and processing leaf tobacco, but the part worth watching is its plant-based ingredients arm, which turns fruits, vegetables, and botanicals into juices, concentrates, extracts, and flavorings for food, beverage, and pet-food makers. In May, the board declared its 56th consecutive annual dividend increase, lifting the quarterly payout to $0.83 per share. The shares now yield roughly 7.3%. A streak that long makes this ticker a Dividend King, which is a company that has delivered 50 or more years of consecutive dividend increases.

Image source: Getty Images.

Universal's ingredient business is under pressure as sluggish demand for consumer packaged goods and the higher fixed costs tied to its own expansion weigh on margins. Tobacco volumes are not providing much growth, either. This company had weak first-quarter results.

Investors buying the stock today are largely being paid to wait, through the dividend, for an ingredients strategy to begin delivering meaningful results. Regardless, this company and its consistent dividend are too good to pass up at such a high yield.

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Moneyball Superscore

47/100

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2. Hamilton Beach Brands rents other people's brands Hamilton Beach Brands (HBB +0.91%) designs and distributes small appliances without owning heavy factories, and it has assembled a portfolio of licensed and partnered names. Think CHI garment care, Clorox home appliances, Numilk plant-based milk makers, and Sunkist commercial juicers.

Hamilton's business strategy gives it a risk- and capital-light way to reach new customers and retail shelves by selling products under brands consumers already know, but those agreements can expire and take revenue with them, as happened with Bartesian at the end of 2025. The company's board raised its quarterly dividend 4.2% in May to $0.125 per share. Its second-quarter results looked exceptional, with revenue rising 11.6% to $142.6 million. But those figures were heavily boosted by a $36.5 million tariff refund .

When evaluating this company, it's important to look beyond the temporary tariff benefits. The refund improved Hamilton Beach's cash position and gives management more room to invest in advertising, but investors should focus on the long term and on whether sales volumes recover and margins return to normal, rather than treating the quarter's headline profit as a new baseline.

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53/100

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3. John B. Sanfilippo & Son bets $90 million on bars John B. Sanfilippo & Son (JBSS +0.49%), a 104-year-old nut processor, is making the largest capital investment in its history -- roughly $90 million for two high-speed production lines (known as bar lines) inside its Elgin, Illinois, headquarters, built into 300,000 square feet of former warehouse space. According to Investing.com, management told investors the lines run at 2,000 bars per minute and could support about $300 million in incremental sales as capacity fills over three to four years.

This stock is a high-value risk, in my opinion, because it is handing the CEO job to Jasper Sanfilippo just as it launches all this new bar capacity, which must be sold to retailers over the next several years, according to the company's own management. Jasper is not an unknown quantity; he has been COO for two decades , but he takes over on Oct. 1 just as the first line begins production.

I like the risk and reward here: JBSS has a strong balance sheet, a century-long track record, and deep relationships with major retailers. The company is also using AI initiatives to reduce costs and support plant research.

Premium Feature

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64/100

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So, why buy these three tickers now? September can present some market drawbacks, and it may be a good time to buy into unglamorous consumer names while their stories are still developing, especially for John B. Sanfilippo & Sons. These companies have dividends, new capacity, and operational improvements, which I think will provide catalysts that will pay off beyond the next quarterly report.

MACAU, Sept. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zenta Group Company Limited (“Zenta Group” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ZTG), a Macau-based professional services provider engaged in industrial park consultation, business investment consultation, and the sale of fintech and artificial-intelligence products and services, today announced that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The Registration Statement, once declared effective by the SEC, would allow the Company to offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate of US$50,000,000 of its Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.001 per share, debt securities, warrants, rights, and units, or any combination thereof, together or separately.

The Registration Statement was filed on September 22, 2026 and has not yet become effective. The specific terms of any securities offered, and the intended use of proceeds for that offering, will be described in a prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus to be filed with the SEC at the time of the offering. Except as may be described in an applicable prospectus supplement, the Company currently intends to use the net proceeds from any sale of securities under the Registration Statement for general corporate purposes.

The Company is filing the Registration Statement to provide financial flexibility. The filing of the Registration Statement does not mean that any securities will be offered or sold, and the Company has no present commitment or obligation to offer or sell any securities under it.

The Registration Statement, including the preliminary prospectus contained therein, is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Before investing in any securities that may be offered, investors should read the prospectus in the Registration Statement, any applicable prospectus supplement, and the other documents the Company has filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein for more complete information about the Company and any such offering.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. Any offering of securities under the Registration Statement will be made only by means of a prospectus and a related prospectus supplement forming part of the effective registration statement.

About Zenta Group Company Limited

Founded in 2019, Zenta Group Company Limited is a diversified consulting, fintech, and artificial-intelligence solutions provider based in Macau. Through its operating subsidiaries, the Company provides industrial park consultation, business investment consultation, and fintech products and services, and, following its acquisition of ZentoAI Intelligent Technology Company Limited in September 2026, artificial-intelligence and data platform services. Zenta Group supports clients — primarily from China’s Greater Bay Area — in navigating commercial project approvals, acquiring equity stakes in targeted opportunities, and accessing fintech and AI solutions.

For more information, please visit the Company’s investor relations website: https://ir.zenta.mo

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Registration Statement, whether and when the Registration Statement may be declared effective by the SEC, whether the Company will offer or sell any securities thereunder, the timing, size, terms, and completion of any such offering, and the anticipated use of proceeds of any such offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including market conditions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for any offering. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results, and encourages investors to review the risk factors and other information in the Registration Statement and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.

2 Stocks to Watch as the Quantum Space Gets More CrowdedUniversal NYSE: UVV outlined its strategy to build on its global leaf tobacco business while expanding its plant-based ingredients platform during a Sidoti conference presentation led by Chairman, President and CEO Preston Wigner.

Wigner described Universal as a business-to-business agriproducts company with operations across five continents and more than 30 countries. The company’s tobacco operations remain its foundation, he said, providing consistent cash flow and supporting its effort to grow Universal Ingredients, its plant-based food and beverage ingredients business.

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Tobacco Business and Competitive Position The Trade Desk Raised Forecasts Means Ad Spending is Back, MaybeUniversal is the world’s largest global leaf tobacco supplier, according to Wigner. The company purchases most of its tobacco directly from contracted farmers and processes and delivers leaf tobacco to customers globally.

Wigner said the company’s business model links farmers with consumer-products customers by sourcing raw materials, processing them and managing delivery. He characterized the company’s relationships with growers and customers as strategic partnerships rather than transactional arrangements.

Disney Stock Analysis, Insights and Outlook“Tobacco is not a commodity,” Wigner said, noting that tobacco grown in one country differs from leaf grown in another. Universal works with customers on the qualities, styles and volumes needed for their products and uses its global footprint to source those requirements, he said.

The company cited several operating strengths supporting its tobacco business:

Direct grower relationships and sourcing operations in major tobacco markets. Agronomy teams that provide production support, agricultural-practice guidance and yield-improvement assistance. Large-scale processing facilities that can meet customer specifications and produce leaf by-products and tobacco sheet. Logistics infrastructure connecting growers in remote areas to global customers. Wigner said Universal’s agronomy teams conducted nearly 2 million field visits during the last fiscal year. The company also uses partner facilities to provide liquid nicotine processing for next-generation tobacco products.

Universal competes with another global leaf supplier, local and regional suppliers, and vertically integrated tobacco customers, Wigner said. He argued that Universal’s scale, factory network, grower support and sustainability programs differentiate it from smaller suppliers and can create efficiencies for vertically integrated customers that purchase entire crops but may not need every leaf quality produced.

Ingredients Growth Strategy Universal began building its ingredients platform in 2018 and has since acquired FruitSmart, Silva International and Shank’s Extracts. The businesses provide products including fruit juices, purees, essences, dehydrated vegetables, herbs, spices, flavors, extracts and nutraceuticals.

Wigner said the acquisitions created the base for Universal Ingredients, which is intended to complement the company’s mature tobacco business and provide opportunities in higher-margin, value-added products. The company has invested in sales, marketing, research and development, product development and facility capacity to support the platform.

Among those investments was an expansion of more than $30 million at its extracts and flavors operation, adding extract production, bulk blending and aseptic packaging capabilities, according to Wigner.

Universal Ingredients targets food, beverage, animal nutrition, food service, retail and specialty ingredient markets. Wigner said the platform aims to differentiate itself through a broad portfolio of natural and functional ingredients, customer co-creation and technologies including aseptic packaging and natural and organic sterilization capabilities.

Sustainability and Crop Cycles Wigner said sustainability is a competitive advantage, particularly in tobacco, where large customers consider the company’s programs and practices when placing business. Universal’s sustainability efforts are focused primarily on contracted farmers, communities and operations, and the company publishes annual sustainability reports on its website.

The company also views sustainability as a future opportunity for its ingredients business as customers and consumers place greater emphasis on supply-chain practices, Wigner said.

Chief Financial Officer Steve Diel discussed the seasonality of Universal’s operations, which reflects tobacco crop cycles across different regions. Brazil is generally an early major market during the spring, followed by activity in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, he said. Those cycles affect working-capital requirements, processing activity and shipment timing.

Diel said recent years have included a shift from undersupply to more balanced conditions and then oversupply. In an undersupplied market, Universal purchased, processed and shipped tobacco more quickly to meet demand. Larger crops and changing customer purchasing decisions have contributed to a slower first quarter in the current year, he said, while the company expects a heavier second half.

Wigner said Universal prefers a market with slight oversupply because it provides access to additional tobacco for customer spot needs. He emphasized that the company does not buy tobacco on a speculative basis, instead contracting with growers based on expected customer requirements.

About Universal (NYSE:UVV)Universal Corporation NYSE: UVV is a global agricultural company that supplies processed tobacco leaf and related products to manufacturers of cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, heated tobacco products and other tobacco products. The company purchases tobacco from growers, provides agronomic and technical support, and processes, blends, packs and stores leaf tobacco to meet customers' specifications.

Through its Universal Leaf Tobacco subsidiaries and affiliated operations, Universal serves tobacco markets across multiple regions, including North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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