Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Hits New 12-Month High - Time to Buy?

Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $161.49 and last traded at $160.37, with a volume of 660859 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $156.54.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ATO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com cut shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $154.39.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $150.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $145.13. The company has a market capitalization of $25.34 billion, a PE ratio of 22.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56.

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

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth about $696,000. Brendel Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,365,000. Inlight Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $155,000. World Equity Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Finally, Spirit of America Management Corp NY lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 10.1% in the first quarter. Spirit of America Management Corp NY now owns 4,900 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $757,000 after buying an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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