Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by Benjamin Edwards Inc.

Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 2,212.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 291,572 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 278,961 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. owned approximately 0.19% of Atmos Energy worth $40,446,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the second quarter valued at $37,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $91,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 158.3% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lummis Asset Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the second quarter. Lummis Asset Management LP now owns 1,128 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded down $2.76 on Monday, hitting $148.56. 779,019 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 875,762. 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 Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $152.65. The company has a market capitalization of $23.09 billion, a PE ratio of 21.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. The firm's 50-day moving average is $142.39 and its 200 day moving average is $130.08.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on ATO shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Mizuho increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $147.69.

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.