Pacer Advisors Inc. Sells 16,306 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Pacer Advisors Inc. decreased its position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 37.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 27,694 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 16,306 shares during the quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $3,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its position in Atmos Energy by 10.5% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 102,507 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $11,957,000 after purchasing an additional 9,733 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning increased its position in Atmos Energy by 2.7% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 33,828 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,946,000 after acquiring an additional 886 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.4% in the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $219,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.4% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 28,906 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,372,000 after acquiring an additional 2,952 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 462.0% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 67,991 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $7,931,000 after purchasing an additional 55,894 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $142.72 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $142.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $137.47. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.77, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.71.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.44%. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 50.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $148.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Argus raised shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America started coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $148.75.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of Atmos Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company’s stock.

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.