Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Purchased by Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd.

Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 27.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,995 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,904 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,203,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of ATO. Czech National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 31,622 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,386,000 after buying an additional 2,871 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.9% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,366 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,160,000 after buying an additional 409 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 9.3% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,204 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RFG Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $259,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded up $1.23 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $146.30. 897,415 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 898,626. The stock has a market cap of $23.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.56. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $152.65. The firm's 50 day moving average is $141.00 and its 200 day moving average is $138.81.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. Analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $148.75.

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.