Jump Financial LLC Sells 5,594 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Jump Financial LLC reduced its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation by 44.4%, selling 5,594 shares during the first quarter and retaining 7,006 shares valued at approximately $1,083,000.
• Institutional investors own 90.17% of Atmos Energy's stock, with several hedge funds increasing their stakes significantly during the first quarter.
• Atmos Energy announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, which will be paid on September 8th, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 2.1%.

Jump Financial LLC lowered its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 44.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,006 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 5,594 shares during the quarter. Jump Financial LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,083,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 141.2% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 379.7% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ATO shares. Citigroup raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Argus raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Barclays dropped their price objective on 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 reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down previously 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 assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of ATO traded down $0.55 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $164.91. The stock had a trading volume of 215,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 967,591. The firm has a market cap of $26.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $159.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $155.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25. Atmos Energy Corporation has a twelve month low of $130.66 and a twelve month high of $168.86.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced 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 company had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.08 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.