Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP Raises Stock Position in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO)

Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP raised its stake in shares of Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 104.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,163 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 3,668 shares during the period. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $998,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 211.8% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,160,144 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,136,463,000 after acquiring an additional 5,543,451 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Atmos Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $206,538,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of Atmos Energy by 541.4% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,525,116 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $212,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,287,325 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 146.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,713,421 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $238,628,000 after purchasing an additional 1,017,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $112,002,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ATO opened at $153.68 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $24.41 billion, a PE ratio of 21.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74. Atmos Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $110.97 and a 1 year high of $167.45. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $153.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $147.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 25.90% and a return on equity of 8.89%. Atmos Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.85 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Atmos Energy Co. will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Atmos Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be given a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 27th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on ATO shares. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, March 31st. They issued a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Mizuho downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Atmos Energy to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Atmos Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.28.

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.