Decision Investments Inc. Purchases 4,794 Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Decision Investments Inc. acquired a new position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,794 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $750,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ATO. Silvia Mccoll Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $458,000. Bank & Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,222,000. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $5,767,000. Kwmg LLC bought a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $9,566,000. Finally, American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth about $7,838,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE ATO traded down $0.42 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $159.32. 1,533,340 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,230,304. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $165.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $174.19. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $154.72 and a 12-month high of $192.51. The firm has a market cap of $26.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.97, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $879.06 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $900.82 million. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.67% and a net margin of 28.50%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.16 EPS. Atmos Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.400-8.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 8.46 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 24th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 24th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 47.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other news, Director William Ware bought 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $167.59 per share, for a total transaction of $50,277.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 488 shares in the company, valued at approximately $81,783.92. This trade represents a 159.57% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.43% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ATO shares. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Monday, July 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $173.00 to $167.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $188.00 to $179.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “neutral” rating and set a $180.00 price target (down from $198.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $183.58.

Atmos Energy Profile

Atmos Energy Corporation is a regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company delivers natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers and is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the United States.

Atmos Energy operates through two primary businesses: natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage operations. Its distribution activities include acquiring, transporting, storing and delivering natural gas, while its pipeline operations provide transportation and storage services and support the company’s distribution network.

The company serves customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.