9,879 Shares in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Bought by XTX Topco Ltd

XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 9,879 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,370,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Atria Investments Inc grew its position in Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,355,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 565.3% during the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 40,621 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,738,000 after acquiring an additional 34,515 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 419,721 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $48,960,000 after acquiring an additional 14,440 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 323,614 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $37,750,000 after acquiring an additional 22,531 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 52.2% during the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 25,568 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,983,000 after purchasing an additional 8,774 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded down $0.91 during trading on Monday, reaching $141.05. The company had a trading volume of 575,782 shares, compared to its average volume of 873,567. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $143.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.20. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.46 and a 52 week high of $152.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a boost from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly 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 ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on ATO shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a "hold" rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective 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. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $147.69.

About Atmos Energy

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.