Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Acquires 28,083 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 10.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 293,948 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 28,083 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.19% of Atmos Energy worth $40,797,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its stake in 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. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 72.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $79,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $152.40 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.19 billion, a PE ratio of 21.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56. The company’s fifty day moving average is $147.10 and its 200-day moving average is $143.24. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $110.97 and a 52 week high of $154.55.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. Equities research analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.28%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 49.57%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ATO has been the subject of several research reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. Argus upgraded Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 20th. StockNews.com cut Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $149.15.

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.