Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Sigma Planning Corp

Sigma Planning Corp lowered its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 6.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 5,180 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 332 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $718,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sustainable Insight Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,068,000. Atria Investments Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the third quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 31,399 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,355,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the period. PFS Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $69,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 56,632 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $7,855,000 after acquiring an additional 5,126 shares during the period. Finally, CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $297,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price 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 approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $144.37 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.05, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.68. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.46 and a 1-year high of $148.39. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $139.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $127.47.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.41%. 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 payout ratio is presently 46.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. 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. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $143.94.

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.