Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Bought by Larson Financial Group LLC

Larson Financial Group LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 11.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,752 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 398 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $522,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $1,236,000. Edgestream Partners L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $5,177,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 10.8% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,074 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 494 shares in the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $393,000. Finally, Hartford Funds Management Co LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 26.1% during the fourth quarter. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC now owns 6,509 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $907,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $148.63 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $144.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $141.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56. The firm has a market cap of $23.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.97 and a 1 year high of $154.55.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Mizuho lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $148.75.

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.