Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Reaches New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $151.68 and last traded at $151.52, with a volume of 18105 shares. The stock had previously closed at $150.33.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on 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 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. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted 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. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $144.31.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 0.9 %

The company has a market cap of $23.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.88, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. 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 stock has a 50-day moving average of $141.50 and a 200 day moving average of $129.35.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.30%. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 50.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Edward Geiser bought 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, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Atmos Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 92.7% during the 1st quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 3,813 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $453,000 after acquiring an additional 1,834 shares during the period. BOKF NA boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 41.4% during the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 1,162 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 21,991 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,614,000 after buying an additional 2,255 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 5.3% during the 1st 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. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 33.6% during the 1st quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 15,737 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,871,000 after buying an additional 3,954 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

About Atmos Energy

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.