Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by Strategy Asset Managers LLC

Strategy Asset Managers LLC boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 12.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,676 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the period. Strategy Asset Managers LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $371,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,532.1% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 218,700 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $25,511,000 after purchasing an additional 205,300 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 36.7% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 730,759 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $85,240,000 after acquiring an additional 196,163 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 45.7% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,267 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $51,544,000 after buying an additional 139,429 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $175,380,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 116.2% in the second quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 230,492 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,887,000 after acquiring an additional 123,904 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Barclays upped their target price 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. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $143.94.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

Atmos Energy stock opened at $147.18 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.42, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.73. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.46 and a fifty-two week high of $148.39. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $140.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $128.29.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.36%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 50.66%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Company 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.