Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Bought by Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 28.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 118,135 shares of the utilities provider's stock after purchasing an additional 25,835 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Atmos Energy worth $16,452,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Noble Wealth Management PBC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $37,000. South Plains Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $51,000. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth $79,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded up $1.64 during trading on Friday, reaching $157.61. 1,206,158 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 935,401. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock's fifty day moving average is $154.27 and its 200 day moving average is $147.43. The firm has a market cap of $25.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.97 and a 1 year high of $167.45.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.11. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.85 earnings per share. Atmos Energy's quarterly revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have commented on ATO. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wolfe Research began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $155.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Kim R. Cocklin sold 15,000 shares of the firm'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 directly owns 172,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,063,979.36. This trade represents a 7.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.48% of the company's stock.

Atmos Energy Company 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.