Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $143.94.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ATO. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Barclays PLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 15.0% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 560,790 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $77,788,000 after acquiring an additional 73,007 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 1,871 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 40.2% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 10,852 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,505,000 after acquiring an additional 3,113 shares during the period. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 4,152 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $576,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO opened at $144.89 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.73. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $139.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.84. Atmos Energy has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $148.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.49 billion, a PE ratio of 21.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.68.

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 paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.40%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 46.87%.

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.