Citigroup Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 10.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 354,127 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 32,235 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $49,121,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 30,179 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,520,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,307 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 5,973 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 2,328 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of several recent research reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $144.31.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of ATO stock opened at $150.05 on Monday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $151.24. The stock has a market cap of $23.32 billion, a PE ratio of 21.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.68. The business’s fifty day moving average is $141.02 and its 200-day moving average is $128.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company 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 dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. 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 2.32%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.66%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.