Commerce Bank Increases Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Commerce Bank grew its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 12.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,437 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,268 shares during the period. Commerce Bank’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,586,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ATO. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy by 92.7% during the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 3,813 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $453,000 after purchasing an additional 1,834 shares in the last quarter. American International Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 39,446 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $4,689,000 after buying an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 37.7% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 100,651 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $11,964,000 after buying an additional 27,547 shares during the last quarter. BOKF NA boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 41.4% in the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 1,162 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $137,000 after buying an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado grew its position in Atmos Energy by 5.3% during the first quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 194,851 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $23,162,000 after acquiring an additional 9,788 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH boosted their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Atmos Energy from $134.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $144.31.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Edward Geiser acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of ATO stock opened at $150.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $23.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.84, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.68. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $141.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.79. Atmos Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $110.46 and a fifty-two week high of $151.24.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 46.87%.

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.