Allianz SE Makes New Investment in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Allianz SE bought a new stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 12,050 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,674,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ATO. Allstate Corp bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $635,000. Maridea Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $454,000. DnB Asset Management AS raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.5% in the fourth quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 37,364 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,204,000 after buying an additional 2,941 shares during the last quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $210,000. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 17.5% during the 4th quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 4,880 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $680,000 after buying an additional 728 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

ATO opened at $152.40 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $24.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.71, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.97 and a 12-month high of $154.55. The business has a 50 day moving average of $147.10 and a 200-day moving average of $143.24.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 25.90%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th were issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 49.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on ATO shares. Argus upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. StockNews.com lowered Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $149.15.

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.