Partners Group Holding AG Has $45.64 Million Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Partners Group Holding AG raised its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 329,015 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 23,306 shares during the period. Atmos Energy accounts for 3.1% of Partners Group Holding AG’s holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Partners Group Holding AG owned 0.21% of Atmos Energy worth $45,638,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.2% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 58,229 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $8,077,000 after acquiring an additional 5,884 shares in the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $225,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 12.0% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 114,776 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $15,921,000 after buying an additional 12,269 shares during the last quarter. DRW Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at $1,000,000. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 127.1% during the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 50,280 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $6,974,000 after buying an additional 28,142 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $150.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $141.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $129.12. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $151.24.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business 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 dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on ATO shares. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $144.31.

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.