Sei Investments Co. Decreases Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Sei Investments Co. lowered its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 12.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 600,454 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 83,866 shares during the quarter. Sei Investments Co. owned about 0.38% of Atmos Energy worth $83,625,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $79,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.82 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $150.98. 661,547 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 823,615. Atmos Energy Co. has a one year low of $110.97 and a one year high of $154.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $146.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $143.00.

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Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued 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 yield of 2.30%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Argus raised Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $149.15.

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.