Toronto Dominion Bank Raises Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 100,595 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 15,777 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $13,954,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position in Atmos Energy by 1,542.9% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. PFS Partners LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $69,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 17.9% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 917 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.8% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 992 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $138,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on ATO. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America began coverage on Atmos Energy in a report on Friday. They set a “buy” rating and a $156.00 price target on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upped their price objective on Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. 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 note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $148.61.

Insider Activity at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at $377,003.78. This trade represents a 2,450.98 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Price Performance

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $140.59 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $21.85 billion, a PE ratio of 20.46, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $143.31 and a 200 day moving average of $131.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Atmos Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $110.46 and a 12 month high of $152.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 50.66%.

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.