Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Invests $228,000 in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Ashton Thomas Securities LLC invested approximately $228,000 in Atmos Energy Corporation, acquiring 1,479 shares during the second quarter.
• Atmos Energy declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, with an annualized dividend of $3.48 and a yield of 2.0%.
• The company's stock rating is currently classified as a "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $162.50, reflecting recent analyst upgrades.

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 1,479 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $228,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in Atmos Energy by 141.2% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 2nd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted 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 during the period. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the first quarter worth $58,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $170.07 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.36, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $136.05 and a 1-year high of $171.20. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $164.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $158.01.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 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 analyst estimates 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 last year, the company posted $1.08 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b+)" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $162.50.

About Atmos Energy

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.

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