Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Holdings Boosted by ORG Partners LLC

ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 85.0% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,382 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 635 shares during the quarter. ORG Partners LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $193,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Atria Investments Inc grew its stake in Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,355,000 after buying an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 52.2% during the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 25,568 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,983,000 after acquiring an additional 8,774 shares during the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 39.2% in the 2nd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 42,940 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $5,009,000 after acquiring an additional 12,084 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,897,000. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 58,229 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $8,077,000 after purchasing an additional 5,884 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, 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 acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 1.7 %

NYSE ATO opened at $137.17 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $21.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.97, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.71. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $142.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.97.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

About Atmos Energy

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.