Trustmark National Bank Trust Department Has $1.77 Million Stock Holdings in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Trustmark National Bank Trust Department increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 5.3% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 12,734 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 644 shares during the quarter. Trustmark National Bank Trust Department’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $1,773,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Noble Wealth Management PBC purchased a new position in Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 72.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 245 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $79,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Atmos Energy by 23.0% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 598 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $83,000 after buying an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of ATO stock opened at $151.53 on Monday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.97 and a 12 month high of $157.62. The company has a market cap of $24.05 billion, a PE ratio of 21.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The business’s 50 day moving average is $149.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $144.39.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The utilities provider reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.03. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. Equities analysts predict that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.30%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 49.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on ATO shares. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. StockNews.com lowered Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Argus raised Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, March 31st. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $142.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.94.

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.