Bfsg LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Bfsg LLC lessened its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 2.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,247 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 255 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,566,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kestra Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.5% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 2,598 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $362,000 after buying an additional 387 shares during the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $298,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 15.0% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,983 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,530,000 after acquiring an additional 1,431 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 10,948 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,525,000 after purchasing an additional 934 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 63,736 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $8,862,000 after purchasing an additional 1,233 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

ATO stock opened at $146.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $23.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.56. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.97 and a 1 year high of $152.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $141.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $139.28.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. On average, equities analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on ATO shares. StockNews.com lowered Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Argus upgraded Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $148.75.

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.