Townsquare Capital LLC Has $2.90 Million Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Key Points

• Townsquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation by 20.2%, acquiring an additional 3,155 shares to bring its total to 18,781 shares valued at approximately $2.9 million.
• Atmos Energy recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $3.48 and a dividend yield of 2.1%.
• Analysts have varied opinions on Atmos Energy, with one downgrade to a "sell" rating and a new average price target set at $158.27, reflecting a consensus rating of "Hold".

Townsquare Capital LLC grew its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 20.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,781 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 3,155 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,903,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $51,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO traded down $0.94 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $165.20. The company's stock had a trading volume of 442,481 shares, compared to its average volume of 976,494. The stock's 50-day moving average is $155.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $153.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.52 billion, a PE ratio of 22.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Corporation has a one year low of $128.12 and a one year high of $167.45.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 in the previous year, the company posted $1.08 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 47.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ATO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Mizuho cut shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $156.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.