BNP Paribas Financial Markets Sells 1,070,999 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• BNP Paribas Financial Markets has significantly reduced its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 70.2%, now holding 454,117 shares worth approximately $70.20 million.
• Atmos Energy reported earnings per share of $1.16 for the last quarter, slightly missing the consensus estimate of $1.17, along with revenue of $838.77 million.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87, set to be paid on September 8th, representing an annualized yield of 2.1%.

BNP Paribas Financial Markets cut its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 70.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 454,117 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 1,070,999 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned 0.29% of Atmos Energy worth $70,197,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SouthState Corp lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 4.9% in the first quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 1,447 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $224,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,871 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 78 shares during the period. Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADV now owns 1,968 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $304,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 11,029 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,705,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on ATO shares. Barclays reduced their price target on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 17th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price target (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of ATO traded down $0.87 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $164.35. 281,834 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 966,012. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $130.66 and a 52 week high of $168.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.38 billion, a PE ratio of 22.58, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $159.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $155.47.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.80%.

Atmos Energy Company 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.