Gateway Investment Advisers LLC Boosts Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 62.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,395 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 8,595 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,119,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Atria Investments Inc increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,355,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 52.2% during the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 25,568 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,983,000 after purchasing an additional 8,774 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 39.2% in the 2nd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 42,940 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,009,000 after buying an additional 12,084 shares during the period. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,897,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.4 %

ATO stock opened at $145.55 on Friday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.46 and a 12-month 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 company has a market cap of $22.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.19, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a 50 day moving average of $142.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $135.86.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.39%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.66%.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on ATO shares. 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 objective on the stock. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $148.75.

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.