Portfolio Design Labs LLC Sells 443 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Portfolio Design Labs LLC lowered its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 3.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,287 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 443 shares during the period. Portfolio Design Labs LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,572,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Legacy Financial Strategies LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Legacy Financial Strategies LLC now owns 23,934 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,310,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 91.2% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 3,953 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 1,886 shares in the last quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 35,428 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,934,000 after acquiring an additional 1,175 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 10.2% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 2,872 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $400,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Kingsview Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 152.6% in the 4th quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,166 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $580,000 after acquiring an additional 2,517 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE ATO opened at $145.12 on Wednesday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $152.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 1.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $140.98 and a 200-day moving average of $138.63. The stock has a market cap of $23.03 billion, a PE ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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, sell-side analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. 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 research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $148.75.

Atmos Energy 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.