Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas Makes New $2.30 Million Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas bought a new position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 16,574 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,299,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of 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. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the second quarter worth $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $138,000 after buying an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of ATO traded up $0.36 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $140.58. 612,103 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 871,332. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $143.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $131.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.46, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.46 and a 12-month high of $152.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.48%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 50.66%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ATO. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price 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. Barclays upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. Finally, 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 report on Friday, November 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six 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 $148.61.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost 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. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

About Atmos Energy

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.