Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Shares Cross Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $134.09 and traded as high as $140.48. Atmos Energy shares last traded at $138.29, with a volume of 567,238 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America began coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Mizuho raised 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. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.4 %

The firm has a market cap of $21.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.20, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a 50 day moving average of $142.78 and a 200 day moving average of $134.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.51%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is 50.66%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Atmos Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 10.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,745,352 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,906,618,000 after acquiring an additional 1,341,640 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.5% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,800,610 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,498,153,000 after purchasing an additional 362,594 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,550,227 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $180,834,000 after purchasing an additional 19,981 shares during the last quarter. Sfmg LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sfmg LLC now owns 1,059,221 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $123,558,000 after purchasing an additional 9,253 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 885,950 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $122,890,000 after buying an additional 34,555 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.