Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 24.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 176,878 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 35,190 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.11% of Atmos Energy worth $24,477,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% during 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. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at $69,000. Keystone Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $79,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $125,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of ATO traded up $0.65 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $148.71. The stock had a trading volume of 554,721 shares, compared to its average volume of 890,328. The company has a market cap of $23.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.18, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.72. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $141.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $139.28. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $152.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. Equities research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ATO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Mizuho upped their price objective 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 objective for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $148.75.

About Atmos Energy

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.