Jmac Enterprises LLC Takes Position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Jmac Enterprises LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 2,500 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $386,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $58,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.2%

Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $152.99. The stock had a trading volume of 573,287 shares, compared to its average volume of 920,624. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $113.46 and a 52-week high of $167.45. The firm has a market cap of $24.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a fifty day moving average of $156.22 and a 200 day moving average of $149.29.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.35% and a return on equity of 9.05%. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.85 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 48.33%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total value of $2,264,700.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. This trade represents a 7.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on ATO shares. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 target price on Atmos Energy and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Mizuho downgraded Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $156.05.

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.