Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $148.75.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 12.7% during the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 9,540 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,323,000 after purchasing an additional 1,074 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the third quarter worth $367,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $138,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 2.4% in the third quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 8,700 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,207,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 20.4% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 18,091 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $2,493,000 after acquiring an additional 3,071 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE ATO traded up $2.66 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $152.30. 1,071,664 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 906,012. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.70, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.72. Atmos Energy has a 12-month low of $110.97 and a 12-month high of $152.65. 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 business has a 50 day moving average of $143.10 and a 200-day moving average of $140.48.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating 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, equities research analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

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.