Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Reduces Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. decreased its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 14.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,954 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 2,866 shares during the quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,362,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 18.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 710,826 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $82,918,000 after buying an additional 113,109 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of 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 worth $2,983,000 after purchasing an additional 8,774 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 13.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 288,335 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $34,064,000 after purchasing an additional 34,493 shares during the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 60.4% in the second quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 28,889 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,370,000 after purchasing an additional 10,880 shares during the period. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 51.7% in the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 84,818 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $9,894,000 after purchasing an additional 28,906 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock opened at $139.75 on Friday. 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 Co. has a one year low of $110.46 and a one year high of $152.65. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $142.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.72 billion, a PE ratio of 20.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.71.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.49%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost 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 in the company, valued at $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $148.75.

Atmos Energy 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.