10,160 Shares in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Purchased by DRW Securities LLC

Key Points

• DRW Securities LLC acquired 10,160 shares of Atmos Energy Corporation, valued at approximately $1,571,000, marking a new position in the company.
• Atmos Energy reported earnings per share of $1.16 for the recent quarter, slightly missing analysts' expectations, while revenue reached $838.77 million.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, reflecting a yield of 2.1% and a dividend payout ratio of 47.80%.

DRW Securities LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 10,160 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,571,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Second Line Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth about $217,000. Vident Advisory LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 137.0% during the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 23,772 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $3,675,000 after buying an additional 13,743 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its position in Atmos Energy by 95.2% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 98,510 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $15,228,000 after buying an additional 48,039 shares during the period. Earnest Partners LLC lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.5% in the first quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 451,048 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $69,723,000 after buying an additional 15,415 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FORA Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $676,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE ATO traded down $0.34 on Wednesday, hitting $165.12. 655,315 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 951,141. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $130.66 and a fifty-two week high of $168.86. The firm has a market cap of $26.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $159.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $155.47.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.08 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on ATO shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Barclays lowered their target price on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $158.27.

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.