Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Grows Stake in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 95.2% during the first quarter, now holding approximately 0.06% of the company worth about $15.23 million.
• Atmos Energy reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.16, missing estimates, with revenues of $838.77 million, below the analyst target of $848.97 million.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, with an ex-dividend date of August 25th, representing an annual yield of 2.1%.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 95.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 98,510 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 48,039 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board owned approximately 0.06% of Atmos Energy worth $15,228,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 141.2% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ATO. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Citigroup raised their price target 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. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH restated a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE ATO traded up $1.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $166.34. 847,658 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 837,096. The company has a market capitalization of $26.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. 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 business's 50 day moving average is $159.86 and its 200-day moving average is $155.83. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $130.66 and a 1 year high of $168.86.

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 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 firm had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $848.97 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.08 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 47.80%.

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.