Townsquare Capital LLC Sells 3,577 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Townsquare Capital LLC trimmed its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 18.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,416 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 3,577 shares during the quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,138,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Partners Group Holding AG raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 7.6% in the third quarter. Partners Group Holding AG now owns 329,015 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $45,638,000 after purchasing an additional 23,306 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.2% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 58,229 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $8,077,000 after purchasing an additional 5,884 shares during the period. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $225,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 12.0% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 114,776 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $15,921,000 after purchasing an additional 12,269 shares during the period. Finally, DRW Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,000,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their target price 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. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $147.69.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded down $0.11 on Friday, hitting $151.32. The company's stock had a trading volume of 367,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 905,003. The firm has a market cap of $23.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. 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 company has a fifty day moving average price of $142.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $129.99. Atmos Energy Co. has a one year low of $110.46 and a one year high of $152.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.30%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.