Captrust Financial Advisors Sells 5,086 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Captrust Financial Advisors lessened its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 17.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,633 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 5,086 shares during the quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors' holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,278,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 30,179 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,520,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,307 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $320,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 1.4% in the 3rd 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 Atmos Energy by 3.9% in the 2nd 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 Atmos Energy by 5.4% in the 2nd 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.2 %

Atmos Energy stock traded down $0.34 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $143.66. The company's stock had a trading volume of 174,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 873,715. The company has a market capitalization of $22.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $142.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.57. 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 firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.42%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, 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 on the stock. 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 presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price 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.