Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by Marshall Wace LLP

Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 123.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,392 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 36,682 shares during the quarter. Marshall Wace LLP's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $9,246,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $206,538,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $112,002,000. Nilsine Partners LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $76,360,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,367,100 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,836,526,000 after purchasing an additional 282,156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,107,267 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $432,749,000 after purchasing an additional 223,809 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $160.10 on Wednesday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $161.49. 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 stock has a market cap of $25.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $150.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $145.24.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.17%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com downgraded Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $154.39.

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.

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