MBB Public Markets I LLC Takes Position in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• MBB Public Markets I LLC acquired 2,108 shares of Atmos Energy Corporation, valued at approximately $326,000, highlighting ongoing institutional interest in the company.
• Atmos Energy's recent quarterly earnings report showed that it missed consensus estimates, posting earnings of $1.16 per share compared to the expected $1.17.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87, which reflects an annualized yield of 2.1% and a payout ratio of 47.80%.

MBB Public Markets I LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,108 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $326,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 379.7% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on ATO shares. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price target (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO stock traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $166.45. 414,826 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 961,864. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $160.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $156.15. The company has a market cap of $26.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $133.90 and a 1-year high of $168.86.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.00% and a net margin of 25.05%.During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.08 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.80%.

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.