Kentucky Trust Co Makes New $2.41 Million Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 17,305 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,410,000. Atmos Energy comprises approximately 1.4% of Kentucky Trust Co’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $79,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $125,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $145.12 on Wednesday. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $140.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $138.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its earnings results 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 return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. On average, analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of several analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Argus raised Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.