USA Financial Formulas Grows Holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• USA Financial Formulas increased its ownership in Atmos Energy Corporation by 40.1%, acquiring 2,096 additional shares, bringing their total to 7,329 shares valued at $1.129 million.
• Atmos Energy's quarterly earnings report showed an EPS of $1.16, slightly below the analysts' expectations of $1.17, while revenues were also less than anticipated at $838.77 million.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87, yielding approximately 2.1% annually, with a payout ratio of 47.80%.

USA Financial Formulas boosted its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 40.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 7,329 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,096 shares during the period. USA Financial Formulas' holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,129,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $233,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 181.2% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 433 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 2,368.2% in the first quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 543 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 21,802.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 282,109 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $43,608,000 after acquiring an additional 280,821 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 46.6% in the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,899 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $448,000 after acquiring an additional 921 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Atmos Energy stock opened at $169.29 on Thursday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $163.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $157.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.17 billion, a PE ratio of 23.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $136.05 and a 1-year high of $171.20.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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). Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.00% and a net margin of 25.05%.The company had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $848.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on ATO shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 price target (down previously from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Argus set a $172.00 price target on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $162.50.

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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