Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Bought by Gateway Investment Advisers LLC

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 62.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,395 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 8,595 shares during the quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,119,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lummis Asset Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the second quarter. Lummis Asset Management LP now owns 1,128 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.4 %

ATO traded up $0.61 on Friday, reaching $145.55. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,045,948 shares, compared to its average volume of 680,075. The company has a market capitalization of $22.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71. 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 quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $142.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $136.00.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of several recent research reports. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note 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 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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.