Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Tidal Investments LLC

Tidal Investments LLC decreased its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 25.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,169 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 3,432 shares during the quarter. Tidal Investments LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,416,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $51,000. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $79,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of ATO stock traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $154.33. The company had a trading volume of 151,877 shares, compared to its average volume of 929,194. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $111.48 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The company's fifty day moving average is $155.54 and its 200 day moving average is $148.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.51 billion, a PE ratio of 21.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.85 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on ATO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.35.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.98, for a total transaction of $2,264,700.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 172,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. This trade represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is owned by company 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.