Yaupon Capital Management LP Acquires 32,623 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Key Points

• Yaupon Capital Management LP increased its position in Atmos Energy by 25%, now owning 163,218 shares worth approximately $25.2 million, making it the fund's 23rd largest holding.
• Several institutional investors have also significantly increased their stakes in Atmos Energy, including First Horizon Advisors Inc., which raised its position by 191.2%.
• Analysts have mixed views on Atmos Energy, with most rating it as a "Hold" or "Moderate Buy", while the stock recently opened at $163.95 with a target price of around $158.27.

Yaupon Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 25.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 163,218 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 32,623 shares during the period. Atmos Energy makes up approximately 1.3% of Yaupon Capital Management LP's portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. Yaupon Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.10% of Atmos Energy worth $25,230,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 191.2% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 166 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 141.2% in 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. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 379.7% during the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 331 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 target price (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $156.00 to $153.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $159.00 price target (up previously from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One investment 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 company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $158.27.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.0%

Atmos Energy stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, hitting $166.45. 414,826 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 961,864. The company has a market capitalization of $26.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.75. The business's 50 day moving average is $160.80 and its 200 day moving average is $156.15. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $133.90 and a 52 week high of $168.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (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 firm had revenue of $838.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $848.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.08 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.80%.

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.