Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by SteelPeak Wealth LLC

SteelPeak Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 41.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,081 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 4,418 shares during the quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital International Investors grew its position in Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $1,136,463,000 after buying an additional 5,543,451 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $206,538,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 541.4% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,525,116 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $212,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,287,325 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 146.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $238,628,000 after acquiring an additional 1,017,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merewether Investment Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $47,817,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO traded down $1.30 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $154.10. 530,646 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 912,482. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $119.90 and a 52 week high of $167.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $154.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $150.44.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.05% and a net margin of 25.35%. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.85 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 target price on shares of Atmos Energy and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. Mizuho lowered shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.95.

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.