Advisors Asset Management Inc. Has $1.53 Million Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Advisors Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 22.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,020 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 3,252 shares during the quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,529,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $209,000. Jennison Associates LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $32,221,000. Commerce Bank raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 12.5% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 11,437 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,586,000 after acquiring an additional 1,268 shares during the last quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC now owns 2,676 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $371,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 636,660 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $88,311,000 after purchasing an additional 13,714 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $150.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $23.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.85, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $151.24. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $141.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $128.90.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.32%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 46.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently commented on ATO. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $144.31.

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.