Mariner LLC Grows Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Mariner LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 40.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 45,900 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 13,103 shares during the period. Mariner LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $6,392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 2,217 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $309,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 9,865 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,374,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Trust Point Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 2,567 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $358,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc now owns 2,921 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $407,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 2,524 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $352,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.0 %

Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.07 during trading on Thursday, hitting $159.66. 1,151,940 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 924,606. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The business's 50 day moving average is $151.03 and its 200 day moving average is $145.34. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.97 and a 52 week high of $161.49. The company has a market capitalization of $25.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.74, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69.

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

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.18%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com cut Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $154.39.

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.