Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Earns "Buy (B+)" Rating from Weiss Ratings

Key Points

• Atmos Energy received a "buy (B+)" rating from Weiss Ratings, which reflects positive sentiment among analysts.
• Analysts have varied price targets for Atmos Energy shares, with the average target now set at $170.44, showing a mix of neutral and positive ratings from different firms.
• The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.16 for the last quarter, slightly missing analyst estimates, while generating revenues of $838.77 million.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy (b+)" rating reissued by stock analysts at Weiss Ratings in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Weiss Ratings reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 price objective (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 price objective (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Argus set a $172.00 price target on Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $185.00 price target (up previously from $182.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Atmos Energy from $167.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $170.44.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.1%

ATO traded up $0.25 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $176.00. 623,336 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 935,535. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $168.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $160.45. Atmos Energy has a 1-year low of $136.05 and a 1-year high of $179.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.74.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. The firm had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.08 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% in the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 2nd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the second quarter worth $46,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 30.4% during the third quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 279 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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