Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) Short Interest Down 12.8% in January

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,475,871 shares, a decrease of 12.8% from the December 31st total of 5,135,651 shares. Approximately 2.8% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 924,594 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 924,594 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.8 days. Approximately 2.8% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on ATO. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Atmos Energy to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Bank of America restated a “neutral” rating and set a $185.00 price target (up previously from $182.00) on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $163.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, TD Cowen assumed coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $174.33.

Key Atmos Energy News

Here are the key news stories impacting Atmos Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results topped estimates: Atmos reported $2.44 EPS vs. $2.41 consensus and revenue of $1.34B vs. $1.21B, driven by higher demand and improved margins — evidence of operational strength this quarter. Atmos Energy Corporation Reports Earnings for Fiscal 2026 First Quarter; Affirms Fiscal 2026 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Profit growth driven by gas distribution and pipelines: Reuters notes a 14.5% rise in quarter‑over‑year profit tied to strong gas distribution and pipeline activity, supporting the beat and near‑term cash generation outlook. Atmos Energy posts higher quarterly profit on strength in gas distribution, pipelines
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend declared: Board approved a $1.00 quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~2.4%); record/ex‑div date Feb 23 and payable Mar 9 — supports income investors and signals confidence in cash flow.
• Neutral Sentiment: FY‑2026 guidance affirmed: Management set FY‑2026 EPS guidance at $8.150–8.350, essentially in line with consensus (8.150). That reduces near‑term downside risk but limits upside surprise potential. Atmos Energy Corporation Reports Earnings for Fiscal 2026 First Quarter; Affirms Fiscal 2026 Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: High capex this quarter: Capital expenditures were ~$1.0B (over 85% for safety/reliability). That supports long‑term system integrity but may weigh on near‑term free cash flow.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage & context: Zacks previews and follow‑ups highlight customer growth, rate changes and system upgrades as drivers to watch; analysts will parse meter-level metrics and rate cases for forward guidance shifts. Atmos (ATO) Reports Q1 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance offers limited upside: Because FY guidance is essentially in line with expectations, the report removes near‑term upside catalysts — investors may await rate case progress or better-than-expected margin expansion for further gains.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 1.4%

ATO opened at $168.88 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. Atmos Energy has a 12 month low of $140.85 and a 12 month high of $180.65. The company has a market cap of $27.32 billion, a PE ratio of 22.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a 50 day moving average of $168.70 and a 200 day moving average of $168.57.

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The utilities provider reported $2.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.21 billion. Atmos Energy had a return on equity of 9.07% and a net margin of 25.49%.During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.23 earnings per share. Atmos Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.150-8.350 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Atmos Energy will post 7.18 EPS for the current year.

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 23rd. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.40%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Sean Donohue sold 450 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.15, for a total transaction of $77,017.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 877 shares in the company, valued at approximately $150,098.55. This trade represents a 33.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.43% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 16.7% in the second quarter. W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. now owns 7,625 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,175,000 after acquiring an additional 1,093 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in Atmos Energy by 206.8% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 26,925 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,597,000 after purchasing an additional 18,148 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in Atmos Energy by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 34,705 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $5,348,000 after purchasing an additional 981 shares during the last quarter. Allstate Corp acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $961,000. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 33.8% in the third quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 18,332 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,130,000 after buying an additional 4,636 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy Company Profile

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) is a U.S.-based natural-gas utility that primarily focuses on the regulated distribution of natural gas. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company operates through local distribution systems to deliver natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and electric generation customers. Atmos’s core activities include pipeline operations, gas distribution, system maintenance and reliability programs designed to ensure safe and continuous service to its customers.

The company’s services encompass gas delivery, system integrity and maintenance, storage and transmission connections, and customer-facing programs such as billing, conservation initiatives and energy-efficiency offerings.