Apella Capital LLC Makes New $1.11 Million Investment in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Apella Capital acquired 7,087 Atmos Energy shares worth approximately $1.11 million in the third quarter, joining other institutional investors; institutions collectively own 90.17% of ATO.
• Atmos Energy exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $1.43 in EPS versus the $1.35 consensus estimate, while issuing fiscal 2026 guidance of $8.40–$8.50 EPS.
• The company pays a quarterly dividend of $1.00, or $4.00 annually, yielding about 2.5%. Despite the dividend and earnings performance, analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $183.58.

Apella Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 7,087 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,109,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Continuum Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the second quarter worth $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 627.3% in the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $161.69 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $164.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $173.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.32 billion, a PE ratio of 19.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.57. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $154.72 and a 52-week high of $192.51.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.08. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.67% and a net margin of 28.50%. The company had revenue of $879.06 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $900.82 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.16 EPS. Atmos Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.400-8.500 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 8.47 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 24th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 24th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 47.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on ATO. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Atmos Energy from $188.00 to $179.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Atmos Energy from $190.00 to $179.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $173.00 to $167.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $180.00 price target (down from $198.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $184.00 to $183.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $183.58.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atmos Energy news, Director William Ware acquired 300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $167.59 per share, with a total value of $50,277.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 488 shares of the company's stock, valued at $81,783.92. This trade represents a 159.57% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.43% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Company Profile

Atmos Energy Corporation is a regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company delivers natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers and is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the United States.

Atmos Energy operates through two primary businesses: natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage operations. Its distribution activities include acquiring, transporting, storing and delivering natural gas, while its pipeline operations provide transportation and storage services and support the company's distribution network.

The company serves customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

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