Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Bought by Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 4.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 885,950 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 34,555 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.57% of Atmos Energy worth $122,890,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $144.31.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, 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 acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $150.32. The stock had a trading volume of 603,597 shares, compared to its average volume of 878,144. The company has a market capitalization of $23.36 billion, a PE ratio of 21.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $151.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $141.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $129.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 46.87%.

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.