Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Makes New Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 62,282 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $8,674,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth 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 period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth approximately $79,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 23.0% during the 4th 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. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Mizuho lowered shares of Atmos Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They set a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.28.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO traded up $1.33 during trading on Friday, hitting $161.51. 662,995 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 938,527. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $152.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $146.35. 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 Co. has a twelve month low of $110.97 and a twelve month high of $161.67. The company has a market cap of $25.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.01, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69.

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 return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. Equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.15%. Atmos Energy's 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.