Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Dearborn Partners LLC

Dearborn Partners LLC lowered its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 1.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 269,437 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 4,848 shares during the quarter. Atmos Energy comprises about 1.6% of Dearborn Partners LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Dearborn Partners LLC owned 0.17% of Atmos Energy worth $37,525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 228,733 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $31,728,000 after acquiring an additional 14,377 shares during the last quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth $203,000. Equitable Trust Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at $375,000. CWA Asset Management Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter worth about $297,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 56,632 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $7,855,000 after buying an additional 5,126 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE ATO traded up $3.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $150.12. 795,673 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 829,249. The company has a market cap of $23.83 billion, a PE ratio of 21.38, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.97 and a 12 month high of $154.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $144.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $141.70.

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Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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, sell-side analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on ATO. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com cut shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $148.75.

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.