Bank of Montreal Can Sells 28,237 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Bank of Montreal Can decreased its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 10.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 249,792 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 28,237 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can owned about 0.16% of Atmos Energy worth $34,789,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 2,217 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 9,865 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,374,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Trust Point Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 2,567 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $358,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc now owns 2,921 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $407,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,524 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $352,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded up $1.42 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $157.69. 151,421 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 955,592. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $149.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $144.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.97 and a twelve month high of $157.63.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.21%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $151.94.

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.