Intech Investment Management LLC Sells 8,350 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Intech Investment Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 27.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,794 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 8,350 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,023,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ATO. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. PFS Partners LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy during the third quarter valued at about $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in Atmos Energy by 75.6% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 778 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $138,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 158.3% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 997 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 611 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group began 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. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective 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, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $144.31.

Atmos Energy Stock Down 0.1 %

ATO stock opened at $150.05 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $141.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $128.79. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $151.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.32 billion, a PE ratio of 21.84, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is currently 46.87%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.