Brokerages Set Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Target Price at $147.69

Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) has been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the nine analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $148.61.

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Barclays boosted 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. Mizuho increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Atmos Energy

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Dunhill Financial LLC increased 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 worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $69,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $116,000 after acquiring an additional 611 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.3 %

Atmos Energy stock opened at $140.58 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $143.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $132.00. The company has a market capitalization of $21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. Atmos Energy has a 52 week low of $110.46 and a 52 week high of $152.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 50.66%.

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.