Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Shares Acquired by NewEdge Advisors LLC

Key Points

• NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 38.0% during the 1st quarter, now owning 9,815 shares valued at $1,517,000.
• Atmos Energy's quarterly earnings report showed an EPS of $1.16, missing estimates by $0.01, with revenue of $838.77 million, below expectations of $848.97 million.
• The firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, reflecting an annualized payout of $3.48 and a yield of 2.1%.

NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 38.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,815 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,703 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,517,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ATO. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% in the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 141.2% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 379.7% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New Hampshire purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the first quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 26.0% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 378 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 price objective (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Argus raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $166.45 on Friday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $133.90 and a 52 week high of $168.86. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $161.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $156.26. The company has a market cap of $26.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. The business had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $848.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. Research analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

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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