Alliancebernstein L.P. Has $26.84 Million Stake in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 1.5%, owning 173,649 shares worth approximately $26.84 million as of the end of the last quarter.
• Atmos Energy recently reported earnings of $1.16 per share, which missed the consensus estimate of $1.17, and its revenue was also short of expectations at $838.77 million.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 2.1% with a payout ratio of 47.80%.

Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 1.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 173,649 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 2,633 shares during the quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. owned about 0.11% of Atmos Energy worth $26,843,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,791,335 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,213,925,000 after purchasing an additional 424,235 shares during the period. Perpetual Ltd raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 17.2% during the 1st quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 1,454,090 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $224,773,000 after buying an additional 213,075 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 950,573 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $146,940,000 after buying an additional 34,878 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 11.3% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 895,475 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $138,422,000 after buying an additional 91,266 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 886,851 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $137,719,000 after buying an additional 67,860 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, reaching $166.45. 414,826 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 799,724. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $133.90 and a 12 month high of $168.86. The firm has a market cap of $26.72 billion, a PE ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $161.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $156.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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). Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.00% and a net margin of 25.05%.The firm had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. Research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 47.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Argus raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Barclays lowered their target price on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 target price (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $158.27.

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.