Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. Has $3.12 Million Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. cut its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 22,482 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 252 shares during the quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,118,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the second quarter worth about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 335 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Atmos Energy by 248.5% during the first 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. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 158.3% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:ATO opened at $144.89 on Friday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $148.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $139.73 and a 200-day moving average of $127.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.68.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.40%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 50.66%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ATO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $143.94.

About Atmos Energy

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.