Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New $28.03 Million Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 201,257 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $28,029,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.13% of Atmos Energy at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the company'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 transaction of $2,264,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 172,632 shares in the company, valued at $26,063,979.36. This represents a 7.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.3%

ATO traded up $0.49 on Friday, reaching $154.83. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,090,018 shares, compared to its average volume of 939,361. The company has a market capitalization of $24.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $112.85 and a fifty-two week high of $167.45. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $155.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of $148.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. The company's revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.85 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded 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 note on Friday, May 9th. Six 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's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $156.35.

About Atmos Energy

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.