Vident Advisory LLC Grows Stock Position in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Vident Advisory LLC significantly increased its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation by 137%, owning a total of 23,772 shares valued at approximately $3.68 million.
• Atmos Energy's stock has seen a 12-month range with a low of $128.12 and a high of $168.86, and the current market capitalization stands at $26.68 billion.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, reflecting an annual yield of 2.1%, with the dividend payout ratio currently at 47.80%.

Vident Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 137.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,772 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 13,743 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC's holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,675,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $233,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 24.3% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 2,860 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $398,000 after purchasing an additional 560 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 124,839 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $17,386,000 after purchasing an additional 10,063 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth $359,000. Finally, Keel Point LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 1,942 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO traded down $0.34 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $165.12. The stock had a trading volume of 655,315 shares, compared to its average volume of 970,274. 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 Corporation has a 12 month low of $130.66 and a 12 month high of $168.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.51 billion, a PE ratio of 22.68, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $159.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $155.40.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.17 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $838.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.97 million. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.00% and a net margin of 25.05%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 17th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. 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 research note on Friday, August 8th. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $158.27.

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.