Prudential PLC Acquires 2,017 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Prudential PLC has increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 102.7% during Q1, now holding 3,981 shares valued at approximately $615,000.
• Atmos Energy reported earnings per share of $1.16, slightly below the expected $1.17, with a revenue of $838.77 million against estimates of $848.97 million.
• The company has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, with an annualized yield of 2.1% and an upcoming ex-dividend date of August 25th.

Prudential PLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 102.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,981 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,017 shares during the period. Prudential PLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $615,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Atmos Energy by 379.7% during 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 in the last quarter. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $58,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE ATO traded up $0.5710 on Thursday, hitting $166.6610. 77,628 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 970,450. The company has a market capitalization of $26.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business's 50 day moving average price is $156.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $153.98. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $128.12 and a 52-week high of $167.85.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 last year, the firm posted $1.08 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on ATO shares. Citigroup increased their target price 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 upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday. Mizuho downgraded Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their target price for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 price target (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $158.27.

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.