Ausbil Investment Management Ltd Sells 15,722 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Ausbil Investment Management Ltd lowered its position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 39.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,996 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 15,722 shares during the quarter. Atmos Energy accounts for about 2.4% of Ausbil Investment Management Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Ausbil Investment Management Ltd's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,709,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.26 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $152.99. The company's stock had a trading volume of 573,287 shares, compared to its average volume of 920,624. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $156.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $149.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The stock has a market cap of $24.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.71. Atmos Energy Corporation has a one year low of $113.46 and a one year high of $167.45.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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 dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.27%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is 48.33%.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related 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 transaction of $2,264,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. The trade was a 7.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Six 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.05.

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.