Schroder Investment Management Group Increases Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Schroder Investment Management Group grew its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 40.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 259,698 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 74,298 shares during the quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group owned approximately 0.16% of Atmos Energy worth $36,080,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 2,217 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $309,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 9,865 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,374,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Trust Point Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 2,567 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $358,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.0% during the fourth quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc now owns 2,921 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $407,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Greenleaf Trust raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,524 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $352,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 4.9 %

Atmos Energy stock traded down $7.65 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $147.64. The stock had a trading volume of 1,431,793 shares, compared to its average volume of 887,933. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $148.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.03, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

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

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ATO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com cut Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of 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, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $149.15.

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.