CIBC Asset Management Inc Buys 1,092 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,503 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,092 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $8,670,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 4.4% during the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 3,122 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.9% during the first quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 11,076 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,317,000 after buying an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the first quarter valued at about $1,876,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 7.4% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 97,986 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $11,647,000 after buying an additional 6,761 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 24.9% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 25,546 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,037,000 after buying an additional 5,097 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.4 %

ATO opened at $144.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $22.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.09, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $148.39. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $139.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $127.84.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.40%. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 50.66%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective 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. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target 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. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $143.94.

Insider Activity

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

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.