UMB Bank n.a. Boosts Stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 3,044.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 37,763 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 36,562 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $5,837,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,136,463,000 after purchasing an additional 5,543,451 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $206,538,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 541.4% during the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,525,116 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $212,403,000 after acquiring an additional 1,287,325 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 146.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $238,628,000 after acquiring an additional 1,017,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $112,002,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $152.23 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $113.46 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The firm has a market cap of $24.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.71. The business's 50 day moving average price is $155.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $148.75.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.29%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently commented on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $156.35.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

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.

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