Sound Financial Strategies Group LLC Buys 676 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Sound Financial Strategies Group LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 11.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 676 shares during the period. Atmos Energy comprises approximately 0.8% of Sound Financial Strategies Group LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Sound Financial Strategies Group LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $944,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ATO. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Dunhill Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at $69,000. Finally, Keystone Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $79,000. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on ATO. StockNews.com lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Bank of America started 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. 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 report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:ATO opened at $149.55 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $143.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $140.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market cap of $23.74 billion, a PE ratio of 21.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.72. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $110.97 and a 1-year high of $154.55.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS 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%. On average, equities analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.33%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

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.