LADENBURG THALM/SH SH Upgrades Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) to “Strong-Buy”

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) was upgraded by LADENBURG THALM/SH SH to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

ATO has been the topic of a number of other reports. Bank of America started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Mizuho upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Argus raised Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.6 %

Atmos Energy stock opened at $150.53 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $145.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $142.31. 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 market cap of $23.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. Atmos Energy has a twelve month low of $110.97 and a twelve month high of $154.55.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share 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, analysts forecast that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the 4th 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 in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.