State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D Lowers Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,855 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 1,185 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $5,528,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 75.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $91,000 after buying an additional 335 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 248.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 805 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 574 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the 2nd 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.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO stock opened at $146.11 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.68. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $138.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $126.93. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.40 and a 52-week high of $146.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of several research reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus 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.