Clark Capital Management Group Inc. Has $47.27 Million Stake in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Clark Capital Management Group Inc. has significantly increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 2,713.2%, acquiring an additional 294,900 shares, bringing its total ownership to about 0.19% valued at approximately $47.27 million.
• Atmos Energy recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.1%, set to be paid on September 8th.
• A number of analysts have upgraded their ratings on Atmos Energy, with Citigroup raising its target price to $163.00, and a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a price target of $158.27.

Clark Capital Management Group Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 2,713.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 305,769 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 294,900 shares during the quarter. Clark Capital Management Group Inc. owned 0.19% of Atmos Energy worth $47,266,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $233,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $753,000. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,275 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $456,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 146.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $238,628,000 after buying an additional 1,017,575 shares during the period. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of ATO stock traded up $0.68 on Tuesday, reaching $164.55. 175,399 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 965,231. The stock has a market cap of $26.41 billion, a PE ratio of 22.60, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. Atmos Energy Corporation has a one year low of $132.58 and a one year high of $168.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $160.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $155.93.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 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 analyst estimates of $848.97 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.08 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was 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%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on ATO. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 target price (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays cut their target price on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" 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.