iSAM Funds UK Ltd Sells 4,576 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

iSAM Funds UK Ltd cut its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 67.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,222 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 4,576 shares during the period. iSAM Funds UK Ltd's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $308,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 294.5% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 21,561 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,563,000 after acquiring an additional 16,095 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 31.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 6,477 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $770,000 after buying an additional 1,538 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 38.0% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,957 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $928,000 after buying an additional 2,193 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 24.8% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 36,046 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,205,000 after buying an additional 7,162 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 28,751 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,354,000 after acquiring an additional 2,211 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO traded down $0.91 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $141.05. 575,782 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 873,567. The firm has a market cap of $21.92 billion, a PE ratio of 20.53, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $143.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.20.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought 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 directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy 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.