Candriam S.C.A. Buys 1,373 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Candriam S.C.A. increased its position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) by 4.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,772 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,373 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $4,742,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 141.2% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 11,200.0% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 339 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 24.0% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 372 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $59,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

ATO opened at $175.00 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $171.87 and its 200 day moving average is $162.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $28.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.04, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.73. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $136.05 and a 12-month high of $180.65.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The utilities provider reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $737.48 million for the quarter. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday. Argus set a $172.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $167.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $170.44.

Atmos Energy 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.