Candriam S.C.A. Buys 7,035 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. raised its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 31.5%, holding a total of 29,399 shares valued at $4.54 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• Institutional investors hold 90.17% of Atmos Energy's stock, with several major firms like Vanguard and Deutsche Bank increasing their positions during recent quarters.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 2.1%.

Candriam S.C.A. raised its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 31.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,399 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,035 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $4,544,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position 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 worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 379.7% during the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded down $2.65 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $165.56. 638,047 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 958,277. The company's fifty day moving average is $157.65 and its 200-day moving average is $154.62. The firm has a market cap of $26.58 billion, a PE ratio of 22.74, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $128.12 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.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its 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). The business had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.08 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on ATO. Mizuho cut shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a report on Monday, April 28th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 target price (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One 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. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $158.27.

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.