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

Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake 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 disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 602,612 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 33,654 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. owned approximately 0.38% of Atmos Energy worth $93,152,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ATO. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,136,463,000 after buying an additional 5,543,451 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $206,538,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 541.4% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,525,116 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $212,403,000 after acquiring an additional 1,287,325 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 146.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $238,628,000 after acquiring an additional 1,017,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merewether Investment Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,817,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.9%

Atmos Energy stock traded up $1.34 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $155.53. The stock had a trading volume of 733,043 shares, compared to its average volume of 914,008. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.33. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $154.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $150.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.70 billion, a PE ratio of 21.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.70.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.85 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.24%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. The trade was a 7.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Barclays reduced their target price on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Wolfe Research began coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $156.95.

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.