Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. Cuts Stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. decreased its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 59.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,560 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 2,335 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $241,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $273,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,029 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $840,000 after acquiring an additional 681 shares during the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,319,000. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 248.7% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 8,150 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,260,000 after purchasing an additional 5,813 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.2% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 25,336 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $3,529,000 after purchasing an additional 1,922 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 target price on Atmos Energy and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a 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 assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.05.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

NYSE:ATO opened at $152.78 on Monday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $113.46 and a 12 month high of $167.45. The company's 50-day moving average price is $156.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $149.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $24.27 billion, a PE ratio of 21.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.71.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.28%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is 48.33%.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the company'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 sale, the director now directly owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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