Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Stock Position Lifted by Moran Wealth Management LLC

Moran Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 0.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 148,251 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $20,564,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the third quarter worth approximately $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 248.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 805 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $96,000 after buying an additional 574 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $116,000 after buying an additional 611 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on ATO. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $143.94.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of ATO traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $146.76. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 81,295 shares, compared to its average volume of 874,615. The company has a 50 day moving average of $139.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $128.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $22.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $148.39.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.37%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.66%.

Atmos Energy Profile

Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage. The Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states.