Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Price Target Raised to $165.00

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) had its target price lifted by Mizuho from $148.00 to $165.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the utilities provider’s stock.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $147.69.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $151.37 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $23.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Atmos Energy has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $152.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $142.39 and a 200 day moving average of $129.90.

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 issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.30%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Atmos Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Dunhill Financial LLC grew 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 acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the third quarter worth about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 75.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.8% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $138,000 after buying an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.