Greenland Capital Management LP Makes New $630,000 Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Greenland Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 4,520 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $630,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 23.0% during the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 598 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

NYSE:ATO traded up $2.97 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $154.45. The company had a trading volume of 117,358 shares, compared to its average volume of 947,663. The company has a market capitalization of $24.52 billion, a PE ratio of 22.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.97 and a 52-week high of $157.62. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $149.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $144.39.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. As a group, research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ATO shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, December 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $151.94.

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.