BNP Paribas Financial Markets Sells 64,376 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets decreased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 21.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 237,791 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 64,376 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned about 0.15% of Atmos Energy worth $32,984,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,221,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 1,532.1% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 218,700 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $25,511,000 after buying an additional 205,300 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 36.7% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 730,759 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $85,240,000 after acquiring an additional 196,163 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 45.7% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,267 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,544,000 after acquiring an additional 139,429 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $175,380,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $151.32. The company had a trading volume of 367,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 876,181. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $23.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $142.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $129.99. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $152.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given 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 is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.30%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on ATO. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

About Atmos Energy

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.