Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd Takes Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 6,370 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $887,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $8,237,000. Orion Investment Co raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Orion Investment Co now owns 16,057 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,236,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. PAX Financial Group LLC now owns 3,140 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $437,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $1,607,000. Finally, Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 20.2% during the 4th quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,769 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $147.64 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $148.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $143.88. The stock has a market cap of $23.43 billion, a PE ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.97 and a 52-week high of $157.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 1.56.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. As a group, analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.36%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 49.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ATO. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com cut Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, March 31st. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $149.15.

Atmos Energy Company 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.