Delta Financial Advisors LLC Has $1.29 Million Stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Delta Financial Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,323 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 120 shares during the period. Delta Financial Advisors LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,293,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 1.7% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 31,182 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,707,000 after purchasing an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 4.4% in the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 3,122 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 154.8% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 28,884 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,433,000 after buying an additional 17,546 shares during the last quarter. Forsta AP Fonden raised its position in Atmos Energy by 28.3% during the first quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 54,400 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $6,467,000 after acquiring an additional 12,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 3.8% in the first quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,225 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $383,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $144.19 on Monday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.40 and a 52-week high of $145.27. The stock has a market cap of $22.38 billion, a PE ratio of 20.99, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $138.29 and a 200-day moving average of $126.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.41%. This is an increase 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%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ATO shares. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $143.94.

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.