Edgestream Partners L.P. Purchases Shares of 37,170 Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 37,170 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $5,177,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Atmos Energy by 10.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,745,352 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,906,618,000 after acquiring an additional 1,341,640 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.5% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,800,610 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,498,153,000 after purchasing an additional 362,594 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 915,695 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $127,529,000 after buying an additional 29,745 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $112,002,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 636,660 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $88,311,000 after buying an additional 13,714 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Atmos Energy Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded down $1.46 on Wednesday, reaching $147.20. 446,055 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 907,124. The firm's 50-day moving average is $144.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $141.62. The company has a market capitalization of $23.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.97 and a 52 week high of $154.55.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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.