40,425 Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Shares Acquired by ProShare Advisors LLC

ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 965,250 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 40,425 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC owned about 0.57% of Atmos Energy worth $151,004,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $335,000. Americana Partners LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $374,000. Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 19.6% during the 3rd quarter. Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC now owns 4,726 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $739,000 after purchasing an additional 774 shares in the last quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $986,000. Finally, Soltis Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 155.0% in the third quarter. Soltis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,861 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $604,000 after buying an additional 2,347 shares during the last quarter. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Weiss Ratings lowered Atmos Energy from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Atmos Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, September 11th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $179.00 to $174.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Argus reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $185.00 target price on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Atmos Energy currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $183.27.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director William Ware acquired 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $167.59 per share, for a total transaction of $50,277.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 488 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $81,783.92. This trade represents a 159.57% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.43% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:ATO opened at $172.53 on Friday. Atmos Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $154.72 and a fifty-two week high of $192.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.81. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $164.16 and its 200 day moving average is $174.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.16 billion, a PE ratio of 20.54, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.57.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $879.06 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $900.82 million. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.67% and a net margin of 28.50%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.16 earnings per share. Atmos Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.400-8.500 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Corporation will post 8.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 24th were paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 24th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is 47.62%.

Atmos Energy Company Profile

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is a regulated natural gas utility that distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. The company also operates natural gas pipeline and storage assets, supporting the transportation and management of gas within its service areas.

Atmos Energy serves more than 3 million distribution customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas and Colorado. Its distribution operations include a large network of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure, while its pipeline and storage business provides transportation and storage services primarily in Texas and Mississippi.

The company traces its history to 1906 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.