Exchange Traded Concepts LLC Has $31.23 Million Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 1.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 202,059 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 3,384 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC owned about 0.13% of Atmos Energy worth $31,234,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on ATO. Citigroup upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Atmos Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Mizuho lowered shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. 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.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.35.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO stock traded down $1.73 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $152.76. 646,228 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 926,490. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $113.46 and a 52 week high of $167.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.76, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.71. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $156.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $148.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56.

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, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.85 earnings per share. Atmos Energy's quarterly revenue was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total value of $2,264,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. This trade represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

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.