Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Shares Sold by Ascent Group LLC

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC reduced its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 50.3% during Q2, now holding 2,465 shares valued at approximately $380,000.
• Atmos Energy reported Q2 earnings of $1.16 per share, missing analysts' expectations of $1.17, with revenue of $838.77 million against a consensus of $848.97 million.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 2.0% and a payout ratio of 47.80%.

Ascent Group LLC lowered its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 50.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,465 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 2,494 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $380,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $233,000. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $284,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 114.6% in the first quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 7,233 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,118,000 after buying an additional 3,863 shares in the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth $211,000. Finally, Wesbanco Bank Inc. boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 18.9% during the first quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 2,016 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 320 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of ATO stock opened at $174.83 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $28.06 billion, a PE ratio of 24.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $136.05 and a 1 year high of $175.49. 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 business's fifty day moving average is $165.13 and its 200-day moving average is $158.39.

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

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 price objective (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 price objective (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Argus set a $172.00 price objective on Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average 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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