Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Stake Raised by Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 25%, now owning 10,000 shares worth approximately $1.55 million.
• Atmos Energy recently reported an EPS of $1.16, slightly below the consensus estimate of $1.17, along with revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87, representing a yield of 2.1%, with a payout ratio of 47.80%.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 25.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,000 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,546,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 379.7% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $58,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of ATO stock opened at $166.92 on Thursday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $127.43 and a 12 month high of $167.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business's 50 day moving average is $155.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $153.17. The company has a market cap of $26.79 billion, a PE ratio of 22.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.69.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.17 by ($0.01). Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. The company had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $848.97 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.08 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on ATO. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 target price (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. Citigroup upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho downgraded Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Profile

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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