Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Purchased by Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 294.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 46,022 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 34,349 shares during the quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $6,409,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Amalgamated Bank increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 2.3% during the fourth quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 30,960 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,312,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares during the period. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $175,000. Asset Advisors Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. Asset Advisors Investment Management LLC now owns 10,783 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,502,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Funds Management LTD acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,647,000. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc now owns 2,921 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $407,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

ATO stock opened at $149.97 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $142.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.18. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.97 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.80 billion, a PE ratio of 21.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.72.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share 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%. Equities analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.32%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ATO. StockNews.com downgraded Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price 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. One 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $148.75.

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.