Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Short Interest Update

Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 5,000,000 shares, a growth of 5.3% from the November 15th total of 4,750,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 822,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.1 days.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

ATO stock traded down $0.11 during trading on Monday, reaching $140.47. 680,134 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 870,471. Atmos Energy has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $21.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $143.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $132.00.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ATO. 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 valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at about $69,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Barclays raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.61.

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.