Albert D Mason Inc. Has $1.37 Million Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Albert D Mason Inc. raised its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 0.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,865 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Albert D Mason Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,374,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its position in Atmos Energy by 35.2% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 4,155 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $579,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares during the period. Everpar Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 3,844 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $535,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 62.3% during the fourth quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 22,395 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,119,000 after buying an additional 8,595 shares during the last quarter. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $1,150,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its position in Atmos Energy by 45.9% during the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 9,336 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,300,000 after acquiring an additional 2,938 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $144.89 per share, for a total transaction of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, 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 position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.48% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.4 %

ATO opened at $145.55 on Friday. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.46 and a fifty-two week high of $152.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.62 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.71. 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 company’s 50-day moving average is $142.80 and its 200 day moving average is $135.86.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This is an increase from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 50.66%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ATO. Argus raised Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price objective for the company. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $148.75.

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.