Renaissance Technologies LLC Reduces Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Renaissance Technologies LLC reduced its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 65.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,300 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 32,300 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,409,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Barclays PLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 15.0% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 560,790 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $77,788,000 after acquiring an additional 73,007 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $442,000. Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 13,601 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,887,000 after buying an additional 841 shares during the period. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $2,299,000. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.0% during the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 33,932 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,707,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of ATO traded up $1.00 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $159.73. The stock had a trading volume of 650,848 shares, compared to its average volume of 929,123. The company has a market cap of $25.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.75, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $151.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $145.87. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $164.50. 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 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.18%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Mizuho cut Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $154.28.

Atmos Energy 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.