Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Quantbot Technologies LP

Quantbot Technologies LP trimmed its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 89.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,373 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 11,416 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $190,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 158.3% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 611 shares during the period. Finally, Lummis Asset Management LP raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the second quarter. Lummis Asset Management LP now owns 1,128 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $132,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.8 %

ATO traded down $1.11 on Friday, hitting $141.93. The company had a trading volume of 673,062 shares, compared to its average volume of 874,796. The company has a market cap of $22.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.83, a PEG ratio of 2.92 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. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $143.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.66.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.45%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Barclays raised 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. Wells Fargo & Company raised 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. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $147.69.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 is available at the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.