Allstate Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 4,562 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $635,000.
Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its holdings 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 buying an additional 216 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $79,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Atmos Energy Price Performance
NYSE ATO traded down $7.65 on Friday, hitting $147.64. The company had a trading volume of 1,431,793 shares, compared to its average volume of 887,933. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The company has a market capitalization of $23.43 billion, a PE ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.97 and a 12-month high of $157.62. The company's fifty day moving average price is $148.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.88.
Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. As a group, analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.
Atmos Energy Announces Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 49.57%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price on the stock. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. 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 investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $149.15.
View Our Latest Report on Atmos Energy
About Atmos Energy
(
Free Report)
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.
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