Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Acquires 28,142 Shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 127.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 50,280 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 28,142 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $6,974,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ATO. Jennison Associates LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,221,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 1,532.1% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 218,700 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $25,511,000 after purchasing an additional 205,300 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 36.7% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 730,759 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $85,240,000 after purchasing an additional 196,163 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,267 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $51,544,000 after purchasing an additional 139,429 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $175,380,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:ATO opened at $150.13 on Tuesday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $110.46 and a 12-month high of $151.24. The stock has a market cap of $23.33 billion, a PE ratio of 21.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of $141.02 and a 200-day moving average of $128.90. 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 Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.32%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. This is a boost from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is currently 46.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ATO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com raised Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH lifted their target price on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Atmos Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $144.31.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser purchased 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 purchase, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. This represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the company’s stock.

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.