First Trust Advisors LP Cuts Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

First Trust Advisors LP lessened its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 6.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 516,635 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 35,685 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned about 0.33% of Atmos Energy worth $71,952,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $79,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 23.0% during the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 598 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com cut Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.39.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded down $1.37 during trading on Friday, reaching $158.30. 1,245,877 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 929,363. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.13 billion, a PE ratio of 22.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $161.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $151.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $145.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

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.