Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Given New $165.00 Price Target at Mizuho

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) had its price objective hoisted by equities researchers at Mizuho from $148.00 to $165.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “outperform” rating on the utilities provider’s stock. Mizuho’s price target indicates a potential upside of 8.28% from the stock’s previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target 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. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered 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. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $147.69.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock traded up $2.05 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $152.38. 127,973 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 874,819. Atmos Energy has a 1 year low of $110.46 and a 1 year high of $152.65. The company has a market capitalization of $23.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a fifty day moving average of $141.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BOKF NA increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 41.4% during the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 1,162 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $137,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the period. Kennedy Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 11.4% in the first quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 21,991 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,614,000 after acquiring an additional 2,255 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.3% during the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 276,397 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,855,000 after buying an additional 13,817 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 33.6% in the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 15,737 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,871,000 after buying an additional 3,954 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iA Global Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,643 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $671,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.