Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY Raises Stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 45.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 51,705 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 16,277 shares during the quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $7,993,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Sowell Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $273,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 4.0% during the 1st 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. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,029 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $840,000 after buying an additional 681 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $10,319,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 379.7% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 262 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO stock traded up $0.77 during trading on Thursday, reaching $152.28. 412,875 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 922,239. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.33. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $155.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $149.72. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $113.46 and a 52-week high of $167.45. The company has a market cap of $24.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.15, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.70.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.35% and a return on equity of 9.05%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.85 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Six research 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.05.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the firm'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 transaction of $2,264,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 172,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

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.