Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Stock Holdings Lessened by BCM Advisors LLC

BCM Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 41,319 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 760 shares during the period. Atmos Energy comprises approximately 1.3% of BCM Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 14th largest position. BCM Advisors LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $5,688,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 35,918 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,982,000 after buying an additional 640 shares in the last quarter. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $1,068,000. Atria Investments Inc lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,355,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at about $69,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 56,632 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $7,855,000 after acquiring an additional 5,126 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $143.94.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $146.51 on Thursday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $148.39. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $139.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $127.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.68.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.87%.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,400.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.