Bank of Montreal Can Has $38.31 Million Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Bank of Montreal Can trimmed its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 3.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 278,029 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 10,306 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can owned approximately 0.18% of Atmos Energy worth $38,307,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.3% in the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 30,179 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,520,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.7% in the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,307 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $320,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.4% in the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 5,973 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $829,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.9% in the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 2,328 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.4% in the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $219,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho raised 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. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE ATO traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $151.32. 367,233 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 876,181. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $142.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $129.66. The company has a market capitalization of $23.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

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.