Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Purchased by Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co

Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 157.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 42,500 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 26,000 shares during the period. Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $5,919,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the 4th 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. raised its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $79,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded up $1.83 on Friday, hitting $151.12. 189,194 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 900,383. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $157.62. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $148.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $144.24.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued 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 return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. Sell-side analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on ATO. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $149.15.

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.