Fmr LLC Buys 5,884 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 58,229 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 5,884 shares during the period. FMR LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $8,077,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,221,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 1,532.1% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 218,700 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $25,511,000 after purchasing an additional 205,300 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in Atmos Energy by 36.7% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 730,759 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $85,240,000 after purchasing an additional 196,163 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 45.7% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,267 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,544,000 after purchasing an additional 139,429 shares in the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $175,380,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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 dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $140.21. 647,872 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 872,412. 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 stock's fifty day moving average is $143.27 and its 200 day moving average is $131.46. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $152.65. The stock has a market cap of $21.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Mizuho upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $147.69.

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.