Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) Shares Sold by Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lessened its stake in Atmos Energy Co. (NYSE:ATO) by 14.5% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 16,954 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 2,866 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.’s holdings in Atmos Energy were worth $2,362,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Atmos Energy by 18.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 710,826 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $82,918,000 after buying an additional 113,109 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in shares of Atmos Energy by 52.2% in the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 25,568 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,983,000 after acquiring an additional 8,774 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Atmos Energy by 13.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 288,335 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $34,064,000 after acquiring an additional 34,493 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp lifted its stake in Atmos Energy by 60.4% during the second quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 28,889 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $3,370,000 after purchasing an additional 10,880 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in Atmos Energy by 51.7% in the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 84,818 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $9,894,000 after purchasing an additional 28,906 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Edward Geiser bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $144.89 per share, with a total value of $362,225.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 2,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $377,003.78. The trade was a 2,450.98 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.48% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of ATO opened at $139.75 on Friday. Atmos Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $110.46 and a 52-week high of $152.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.72 billion, a PE ratio of 20.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $142.67 and a 200 day moving average price of $136.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.66%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ATO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised their price target on shares of Atmos Energy from $144.00 to $150.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Bank of America initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday, December 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Atmos Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $155.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Atmos Energy from $145.00 to $143.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $148.75.

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.