JPMorgan Chase & Co. Decreases Stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. trimmed its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 32.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 580,106 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 280,989 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 0.37% of Atmos Energy worth $80,467,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $138,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lummis Asset Management LP lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the 2nd quarter. Lummis Asset Management LP now owns 1,128 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $132,000 after buying an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on ATO. Bank of America started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price objective 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. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of ATO traded up $0.50 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $138.79. The stock had a trading volume of 791,326 shares, compared to its average volume of 679,263. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.46 and a 12-month high of $152.65. The firm has a market cap of $21.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $142.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.25.

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 paid a $0.87 dividend. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

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.