Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Given New $156.00 Price Target at Wells Fargo & Company

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) had its price objective increased by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $145.00 to $156.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the utilities provider’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s price target would suggest a potential upside of 8.81% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on ATO. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price target on shares of 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 shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $143.94.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO traded up $1.37 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $143.37. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 66,190 shares, compared to its average volume of 878,165. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.68. 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 fifty day moving average price of $133.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $123.74. Atmos Energy has a one year low of $105.44 and a one year high of $143.37.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The utilities provider reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $701.55 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $924.75 million. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.94% and a net margin of 25.09%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.94 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy will post 6.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 0.3% in the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 30,179 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,520,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.9% during the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 2,328 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $272,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.4% during the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 9.3% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,204 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TIAA Trust National Association increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 2.9% in the first quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 3,612 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $429,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.