Whittier Trust Co. Has $2.16 Million Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Whittier Trust Co. lowered its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 15,529 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 221 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,163,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.7% in the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,307 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $320,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.9% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 2,605 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $361,000 after buying an additional 277 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 4.8% in the third quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 22,689 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,147,000 after buying an additional 1,030 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,897,000. Finally, Commerce Bank increased its position in Atmos Energy by 12.5% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 11,437 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,586,000 after purchasing an additional 1,268 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $148.72 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $23.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.97 and a 52 week high of $154.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $146.29 and a 200-day moving average of $142.55.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $149.15.

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.