Atmos Energy Corporation $ATO Stake Increased by Hanson & Doremus Investment Management

Hanson & Doremus Investment Management raised its stake in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) by 9,319.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,129 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,979 shares during the period. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,210,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ATO. Aspiriant LLC bought a new position in shares of Atmos Energy in the third quarter worth about $542,000. Shelton Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Atmos Energy in the third quarter valued at about $154,000. Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Atmos Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $233,000. Howard Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Atmos Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $310,000. Finally, Goelzer Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Atmos Energy by 408.6% in the 3rd quarter. Goelzer Investment Management Inc. now owns 34,291 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $5,364,000 after acquiring an additional 27,549 shares during the period. 90.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In related news, Director William Ware bought 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $167.59 per share, with a total value of $50,277.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 488 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $81,783.92. The trade was a 159.57% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.43% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Up 2.2%

Atmos Energy stock opened at $167.48 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $164.05 and a 200 day simple moving average of $173.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Atmos Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $154.72 and a 1-year high of $192.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.57.

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

Atmos Energy Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ATO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Atmos Energy from $184.00 to $183.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Atmos Energy in a report on Monday, July 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $173.00 to $167.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Atmos Energy in a research report on Friday, August 28th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of Atmos Energy from $179.00 to $174.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $183.00.

Atmos Energy Company Profile

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.