Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Stock Holdings Boosted by Natixis Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 26.0% in Q1, owning approximately 115,768 shares worth about $17.9 million.
• Atmos Energy reported earnings per share of $3.03 for the last quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations, with a net margin of 25.35% and year-over-year revenue growth of 18.4%.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, resulting in an annualized yield of 2.2% and a payout ratio of 48.33%.

Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 26.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 115,768 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 23,922 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned about 0.07% of Atmos Energy worth $17,895,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital International Investors increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,136,463,000 after buying an additional 5,543,451 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,107,267 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $432,749,000 after acquiring an additional 223,809 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 3,078,424 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $428,732,000 after acquiring an additional 58,391 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 146.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $238,628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,017,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 16.6% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,639,073 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $228,274,000 after purchasing an additional 233,790 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.57 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $157.20. 1,409,782 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 970,728. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $126.08 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $24.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $154.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $152.36.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.18 by ($0.02). Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.05% and a net margin of 25.35%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently commented on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 target price on Atmos Energy and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Argus raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 target price (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Seven 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $157.14.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 owned 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.