Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Geode Capital Management LLC

Geode Capital Management LLC decreased its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,698,749 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 26,580 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 2.38% of Atmos Energy worth $511,344,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.3% during the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 30,179 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,520,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,307 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.4% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 5,973 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.9% in the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 2,328 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.4% in the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $219,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE:ATO traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $140.59. The company had a trading volume of 612,098 shares, compared to its average volume of 871,332. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.46, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $152.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.66%.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $148.61.

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.