Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Upgraded by Argus to "Buy" Rating

Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Friday morning, Marketbeat reports. They currently have $150.00 target price on the utilities provider's stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on ATO. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE ATO traded up $1.72 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $139.69. 2,109,492 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 879,091. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The business's 50-day moving average is $143.39 and its 200-day moving average is $132.44. 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 business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. This is an increase 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 yield of 2.49%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 acquisition, the director now directly 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 filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 4.8% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,698 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $431,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the period. &PARTNERS boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter. &PARTNERS now owns 6,388 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $745,000 after purchasing an additional 815 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 1,558.7% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 1,725 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $201,000 after purchasing an additional 1,621 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $385,000. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 6.2% in the second quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 51,710 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $6,032,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

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.