UMB Bank n.a. Buys 2,483 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation by 6.6%, owning a total of 40,246 shares valued at approximately $6.20 million at the end of the second quarter.
• Atmos Energy reported earnings per share of $1.16 for the most recent quarter, slightly missing analysts' expectations, with a net margin of 25.05% and revenue of $838.77 million.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, representing an annualized dividend yield of 2.1%, with a current payout ratio of 47.80%.

UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 6.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,246 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 2,483 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a.'s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $6,202,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised 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. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 379.7% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New Hampshire acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter valued at about $58,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 26.0% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 378 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ATO traded up $2.50 on Tuesday, hitting $165.46. The company's stock had a trading volume of 222,152 shares, compared to its average volume of 960,596. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $162.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $156.92. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $136.03 and a 1 year high of $168.86. The company has a market capitalization of $26.56 billion, a PE ratio of 22.72, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.08 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's payout ratio is presently 47.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 target price (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays decreased their price target 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. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Finally, Argus set a $172.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $160.27.

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.