Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Freedom Investment Management Inc.

Freedom Investment Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 6.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,951 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 348 shares during the period. Freedom Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $689,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Capital Group Private Client Services Inc. acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth approximately $22,566,000. Capital International Investors raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,136,463,000 after acquiring an additional 5,543,451 shares during the period. Capital International Sarl acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $2,216,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 191,718 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,687,000 after purchasing an additional 5,091 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 58.2% in the 4th quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 50,471 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $7,029,000 after purchasing an additional 18,566 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $157.37 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $150.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $144.97. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.97 and a fifty-two week high of $159.20. The firm has a market cap of $24.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast 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. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ATO shares. Wolfe Research started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley upped 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 lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.39.

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.