Natixis Advisors LLC Boosts Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Natixis Advisors LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 5.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 88,670 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 4,718 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned 0.06% of Atmos Energy worth $12,299,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ATO. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 248.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 805 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 574 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 92.7% during the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 3,813 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $453,000 after purchasing an additional 1,834 shares during the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd grew its position in Atmos Energy by 518.7% during the 1st quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 9,812 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,166,000 after purchasing an additional 8,226 shares during the period. American International Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 39,446 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,689,000 after buying an additional 510 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 176,224 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $20,957,000 after buying an additional 6,641 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO opened at $147.43 on Thursday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $148.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 0.94. The company's fifty day moving average is $140.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $128.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.68.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 46.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ATO. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $143.94.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.