Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC Boosts Stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 12.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 348,988 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 38,459 shares during the quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC owned 0.22% of Atmos Energy worth $48,604,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $69,000. Keystone Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $125,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Mizuho increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price on the stock. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded up $1.61 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $148.12. The company had a trading volume of 973,241 shares, compared to its average volume of 885,374. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.97 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The stock has a market cap of $23.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $141.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $139.28.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. On average, research analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.35%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 49.57%.

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.