Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. Sells 2,417 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. decreased its position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 11.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,562 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 2,417 shares during the period. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,869,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $152.23 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The business has a 50-day moving average of $156.31 and a 200-day moving average of $148.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.14, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.71. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $113.46 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.82 billion. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.05% and a net margin of 25.35%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.85 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup increased 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.05.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction dated 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 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is owned by 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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