Gries Financial LLC Has $1.35 Million Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Gries Financial LLC reduced its position in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,679 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 441 shares during the quarter. Gries Financial LLC’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,348,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 112.4% in the 4th quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 47,196 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $6,573,000 after purchasing an additional 24,979 shares during the period. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Fulton Breakefield Broenniman LLC now owns 3,412 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $475,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. Nilsine Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $76,360,000. KBC Group NV lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 279,016 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $38,859,000 after purchasing an additional 85,439 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 25.4% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,481 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $622,000 after purchasing an additional 907 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Atmos Energy stock opened at $141.14 on Thursday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $142.16 and its 200-day moving average is $137.44. The company has a market capitalization of $21.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.55, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.71. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 2.47%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is presently 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ATO shares. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given 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 target price of $148.75.

Atmos Energy Profile

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.