Mackenzie Financial Corp Increases Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 48.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,558 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 6,372 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,724,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $79,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total value of $2,264,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. The trade was a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Atmos Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Argus raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $156.35.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.3%

NYSE:ATO traded up $0.49 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $154.83. 3,090,018 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 935,161. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The business's 50-day moving average price is $155.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $148.51. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $113.46 and a 1 year high of $167.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.85 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.33%.

Atmos Energy 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.