Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Acquired by Trustmark National Bank Trust Department

Trustmark National Bank Trust Department boosted its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 593.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,090 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,347 shares during the quarter. Trustmark National Bank Trust Department’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,677,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 248.5% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 805 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 574 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $147.18 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $22.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.42, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $148.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $140.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.29.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 46.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Barclays boosted 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. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $143.94.

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.