Two Sigma Investments LP Invests $9.97 Million in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Two Sigma Investments LP acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 71,587 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $9,970,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth 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.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on ATO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. 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. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. Mizuho cut shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and cut their price target for the company from $165.00 to $164.00 in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $156.35.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

ATO traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $154.33. 151,877 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 929,194. The stock has a market cap of $24.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $155.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $148.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $111.48 and a 12 month high of $167.45.

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

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.25%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Company 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.