Perpetual Ltd trimmed its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO - Free Report) by 19.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,241,015 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 297,398 shares during the quarter. Atmos Energy comprises about 2.0% of Perpetual Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Perpetual Ltd owned approximately 0.80% of Atmos Energy worth $172,836,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Diversify Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Atmos Energy by 71.1% during the fourth quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 29,813 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $4,086,000 after purchasing an additional 12,388 shares in the last quarter. TruWealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $305,000. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 8.4% during the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,880 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 9,865 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,374,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 35.2% in the fourth quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 4,155 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
ATO opened at $145.55 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $22.62 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Atmos Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $110.46 and a twelve month high of $152.65. The company has a fifty day moving average of $142.79 and a 200-day moving average of $136.36.
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is an increase from Atmos Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. Atmos Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.66%.
ATO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $155.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $148.75.
View Our Latest Analysis on ATO
In other news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.48% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
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.
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