Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Stock: Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC Grows Position

Key Points

• Chicago Partners Investment Group increased its Atmos Energy stake by 49% in the third quarter, to 21,766 shares valued at about $3.75 million. Institutional investors collectively own roughly 90% of the company.
• Atmos Energy reported quarterly EPS of $1.17, above the $1.14 consensus and up from $1.07 a year earlier, but revenue of $837 million missed estimates of about $874 million.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.00 to $1.09 per share, equivalent to a 2.5% annualized yield. Analysts’ consensus rating was Hold, with an average price target of $183.27.

Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 49.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,766 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,155 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,748,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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 shares of Atmos Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Continuum Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 627.3% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Downshift Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 2,514.3% in the 3rd quarter. Downshift Financial LLC now owns 183 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ATO. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Atmos Energy from $173.00 to $167.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Truist Financial dropped their price target on Atmos Energy from $179.00 to $174.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, July 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on Atmos Energy from $184.00 to $183.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $183.27.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO opened at $175.63 on Friday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $154.72 and a 52-week high of $192.51. The company has a 50 day moving average of $164.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $174.22. The company has a market cap of $29.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 28.50% and a return on equity of 9.63%. The business had revenue of $837.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $873.77 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.07 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 9.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 7th. Investors of record on Monday, November 23rd will be issued a $1.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 23rd. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 47.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director William Ware acquired 300 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $167.59 per share, with a total value of $50,277.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 488 shares of the company's stock, valued at $81,783.92. This trade represents a 159.57% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about Atmos Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Atmos Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal Q4 diluted EPS was $1.17, beating the $1.14 consensus and rising from $1.07 a year earlier. The company attributed performance to rate gains and operating strength. Zacks earnings coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Atmos raised its quarterly dividend 9% to $1.09 per share, or $4.36 annualized. The increase may support investor interest in the stock’s income profile. Dividend announcement
• Positive Sentiment: The company outlined a $29 billion five-year capital spending plan and targets 6%–8% EPS growth from its fiscal 2027 midpoint. Its fiscal 2026 spending was $4.2 billion, with more than 85% directed to safety and reliability—investment intended to support infrastructure and earnings growth. Capital plan and growth targets
• Neutral Sentiment: Atmos announced that Kim R. Cocklin plans to retire as board chair at the 2027 annual meeting, with J. Kevin Akers set to succeed him. The transition is planned well in advance. Board transition announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Quarterly revenue of $837 million fell short of analysts’ estimates of about $874 million, a counterpoint to the EPS beat and a potential source of investor caution. Earnings results

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation NYSE: ATO is a regulated natural gas utility that distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. The company also operates natural gas pipeline and storage assets, supporting the transportation and management of gas within its service areas.

Atmos Energy serves more than 3 million distribution customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas and Colorado. Its distribution operations include a large network of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure, while its pipeline and storage business provides transportation and storage services primarily in Texas and Mississippi.

The company traces its history to 1906 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ATO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.