Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Purchased by Diversify Wealth Management LLC

Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 71.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 29,813 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,388 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $4,086,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of ATO. TruWealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $305,000. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Atmos Energy by 8.4% during the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the period. Albert D Mason Inc. lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 9,865 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,374,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 35.2% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 4,155 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $579,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares during the period. Finally, Everpar Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 6.5% in the fourth quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 3,844 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $535,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO opened at $145.55 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $22.62 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $142.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.14.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. Bank of America started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average 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.