Vest Financial LLC Reduces Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Vest Financial LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 1.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 392,962 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 4,866 shares during the period. Atmos Energy makes up approximately 0.9% of Vest Financial LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Vest Financial LLC owned 0.25% of Atmos Energy worth $60,744,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 181.2% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:ATO traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $152.23. The company had a trading volume of 624,502 shares, compared to its average volume of 933,830. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $113.46 and a 1-year high of $167.45. The firm has a market cap of $24.18 billion, a PE ratio of 21.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.71. The business's 50 day moving average price is $155.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $148.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. Atmos Energy's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.85 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 48.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped 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. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Atmos Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Citigroup upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Mizuho lowered Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $156.35.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total transaction of $2,264,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 172,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $26,063,979.36. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

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.