Bahl & Gaynor Inc. Has $49.82 Million Holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

Bahl & Gaynor Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) by 5.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 323,257 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,375 shares during the quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. owned about 0.20% of Atmos Energy worth $49,817,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 234 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 50.0% in the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its position in Atmos Energy by 11,200.0% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 339 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Atmos Energy by 24.0% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 372 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Atmos Energy during the 1st quarter worth $59,000. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of Atmos Energy stock opened at $174.94 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $172.86 and its 200 day moving average is $163.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.29 billion, a PE ratio of 24.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.73. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $136.05 and a 1 year high of $180.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The utilities provider reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $737.48 million during the quarter. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.05% and a return on equity of 9.00%. Equities research analysts forecast that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.87. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ATO. Bank of America reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $185.00 target price (up from $182.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. TD Cowen raised shares of Atmos Energy to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $163.00 price objective (down from $171.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $159.00 target price (up from $146.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $164.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $170.56.

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.