TruWealth Advisors LLC Takes Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

TruWealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 2,190 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $305,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Atmos Energy by 18.9% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 710,826 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $82,918,000 after acquiring an additional 113,109 shares in the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 27.2% during the second quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,034 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $704,000 after purchasing an additional 1,289 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 39.2% in the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 42,940 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $5,009,000 after buying an additional 12,084 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 69.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 14,211 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,654,000 after purchasing an additional 5,809 shares during the period. Finally, Seven Eight Capital LP raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 24.0% during the second quarter. Seven Eight Capital LP now owns 4,427 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $516,000 after purchasing an additional 856 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Bank of America started coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.48% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO traded up $0.61 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $145.55. 1,045,948 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 680,075. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $152.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.62 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The business's 50-day moving average price is $142.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.00.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

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.