Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Vienna Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne S.A. Vienna Insurance Group

Vienna Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne S.A. Vienna Insurance Group cut its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 20.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,360 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 2,148 shares during the quarter. Vienna Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne S.A. Vienna Insurance Group's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,164,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its position in 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 buying an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the 4th 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. increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 4th 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 shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $79,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO traded up $3.09 on Friday, hitting $150.12. 795,673 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 819,201. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.97 and a fifty-two week high of $154.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $145.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $141.92. The stock has a market cap of $23.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ATO. StockNews.com lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $148.75.

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.