MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC Makes New $4.99 Million Investment in Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO

MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 31,866 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $4,985,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth $1,830,000. Fearless Solutions LLC dba Best Invest acquired a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $814,000. Focus Financial Network Inc. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $279,000. ASK Capital Investment Managers LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy during the third quarter worth $156,000. Finally, Enclave Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at $102,000. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:ATO traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $163.51. The stock had a trading volume of 190,683 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,226,640. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $164.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $173.47. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $154.72 and a 12-month high of $192.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market cap of $27.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.57.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 24th were given a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 24th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Atmos Energy’s payout ratio is currently 47.62%.

Insider Transactions at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director William Ware acquired 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $167.59 per share, with a total value of $50,277.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 488 shares in the company, valued at approximately $81,783.92. This trade represents a 159.57% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.43% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $188.00 to $179.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Argus reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $185.00 target price on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $190.00 to $179.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Friday, August 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Monday, July 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $200.00 price target on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $183.58.

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation is a regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company delivers natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers and is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the United States.

Atmos Energy operates through two primary businesses: natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage operations. Its distribution activities include acquiring, transporting, storing and delivering natural gas, while its pipeline operations provide transportation and storage services and support the company’s distribution network.

The company serves customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.