Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Purchases 7,059 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 7.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,355 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 7,059 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned approximately 0.06% of Atmos Energy worth $13,782,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ATO. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,221,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,532.1% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 218,700 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $25,511,000 after acquiring an additional 205,300 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 36.7% in the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 730,759 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $85,240,000 after acquiring an additional 196,163 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 45.7% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,267 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,544,000 after acquiring an additional 139,429 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $175,380,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ATO shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $147.69.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $151.32. 367,233 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 905,003. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.46 and a 12-month high of $152.65. The stock has a market cap of $23.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $142.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $129.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

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

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.