Raiffeisen Bank International AG Acquires 2,445 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Key Points

• Raiffeisen Bank International AG increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 47.1%, acquiring an additional 2,445 shares to bring its total holdings to 7,632 shares valued at approximately $1.16 million.
• Atmos Energy recently reported an EPS of $3.03 for the quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations, and its revenue increased by 18.4% year-over-year to $1.95 billion.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87, reflecting an annualized dividend of $3.48 and a yield of 2.2%, with a payout ratio of 48.33%.

Raiffeisen Bank International AG boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 47.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,632 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 2,445 shares during the quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,164,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 191.2% in 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 during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings 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 last quarter. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total value of $2,264,700.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 172,632 shares in the company, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $159.53 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $25.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $126.08 and a 52 week high of $167.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $154.36 and a 200-day moving average of $152.33.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 quarterly revenue was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.85 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 target price (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Seven investment 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, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $157.14.

About Atmos Energy

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.

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