Janney Montgomery Scott LLC Cuts Position in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Janney Montgomery Scott LLC reduced its position in Atmos Energy Corporation by 4.1%, owning approximately 160,703 shares valued at $24.8 million after selling 6,930 shares in the second quarter.
• Analysts have mixed expectations for Atmos Energy, with target prices ranging from $153.00 to $170.00, and a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $162.50.
• Atmos Energy recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, reflecting a 2.1% yield and a dividend payout ratio of 47.80%.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC trimmed its position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 4.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 160,703 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 6,930 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC owned about 0.10% of Atmos Energy worth $24,766,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sowell Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $273,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 28.8% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,158 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $334,000 after buying an additional 482 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 4.0% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,861 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $4,616,000 after buying an additional 1,157 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 26.0% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 378 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 20.6% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 109,772 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $16,969,000 after buying an additional 18,753 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on ATO shares. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of 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 from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays dropped their price target 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. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 price target (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $162.50.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO stock opened at $169.29 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $27.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.25, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Corporation has a twelve month low of $136.05 and a twelve month high of $171.20. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $163.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $157.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.17 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 previous year, the company posted $1.08 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 47.80%.

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.

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