Sfmg LLC Has $145.88 Million Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Sfmg LLC decreased its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,051,705 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 7,516 shares during the period. Atmos Energy accounts for about 11.8% of Sfmg LLC's portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Sfmg LLC owned approximately 0.68% of Atmos Energy worth $145,882,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dunhill Financial LLC grew 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 buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $69,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 158.3% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $116,000 after buying an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.9% in 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 during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of ATO stock traded up $0.18 on Thursday, reaching $140.21. 647,872 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 872,412. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.46 and a 52 week high of $152.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.79 billion, a PE ratio of 20.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $143.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.46.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.