Envestnet Asset Management Inc. Buys 33,654 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 5.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 602,612 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 33,654 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned 0.38% of Atmos Energy worth $93,152,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $273,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 28.8% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,158 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 482 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,861 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $4,616,000 after acquiring an additional 1,157 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 26.0% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 378 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $10,319,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.1%

ATO stock traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $154.26. 436,931 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 914,735. The stock has a market cap of $24.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $154.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $150.37.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.05% and a net margin of 25.35%. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.85 EPS. The company's revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.26%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. Mizuho downgraded Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 target price on Atmos Energy and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $156.95.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the business'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 value of $2,264,700.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. The trade was a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.