Czech National Bank Buys 2,036 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 6.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 33,658 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,036 shares during the period. Czech National Bank's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $4,688,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Atria Investments Inc grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $4,355,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its position in Atmos Energy by 52.2% during the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 25,568 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $2,983,000 after buying an additional 8,774 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 4th 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. Amalgamated Bank lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 39.2% during the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 42,940 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $5,009,000 after purchasing an additional 12,084 shares during the period. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $1,897,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 2.6 %

Shares of ATO stock traded up $3.69 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $144.77. 673,871 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 838,447. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $142.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $135.59. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.46 and a fifty-two week high of $152.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $22.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.75.

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.