Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Purchased by Dunhill Financial LLC

Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1,542.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $32,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 294.5% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,561 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,563,000 after purchasing an additional 16,095 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 31.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 6,477 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $770,000 after acquiring an additional 1,538 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 38.0% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,957 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $928,000 after acquiring an additional 2,193 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 24.8% during the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 36,046 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,205,000 after acquiring an additional 7,162 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 8.3% during the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 28,751 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,354,000 after purchasing an additional 2,211 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSE:ATO opened at $141.96 on Monday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $152.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.01. The company has a market capitalization of $22.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.70.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.45%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays upped 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

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.