Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.03 EPS

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.03, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $837.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $873.77 million. Atmos Energy had a net margin of 28.50% and a return on equity of 9.63%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.07 EPS.

Atmos Energy Stock Performance

ATO traded down $1.35 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $173.65. The company had a trading volume of 524,568 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,211,565. Atmos Energy has a 1 year low of $154.72 and a 1 year high of $192.51. The company has a market cap of $29.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.56. The business has a 50-day moving average of $164.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $174.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Atmos Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 23rd will be paid a $1.09 dividend. This is a positive change from Atmos Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 23rd. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Atmos Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on ATO shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Atmos Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $201.00 price objective on shares of Atmos Energy in a research note on Friday. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Atmos Energy from $179.00 to $182.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Atmos Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $198.00 to $180.00 in a report on Friday, September 11th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Atmos Energy from $184.00 to $183.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $183.36.

Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy

In other Atmos Energy news, Director William Ware purchased 300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $167.59 per share, for a total transaction of $50,277.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 488 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $81,783.92. This represents a 159.57% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.43% of the company’s stock.

Atmos Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reaffirmed its “overweight” rating and set a $201 price target, implying about 15.8% upside from the cited share price. Wells Fargo rating
• Positive Sentiment: Management outlined a $29 billion five-year capital-investment plan and targets 6%–8% EPS growth from the fiscal 2027 midpoint, supporting the company’s longer-term expansion outlook. Capital plan and growth target
• Positive Sentiment: Atmos raised its quarterly dividend 9% to $1.09 per share, extending its income appeal for investors. Dividend increase
• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal fourth-quarter EPS of $1.17 topped the $1.14 consensus estimate, with the earnings report citing rate gains and operating strength. Quarterly earnings report
• Negative Sentiment: Quarterly revenue of $837 million fell short of analysts’ roughly $874 million estimate, a counterpoint to the EPS beat that could weigh on the market’s response. Earnings results

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is a regulated natural gas utility that distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. The company also operates natural gas pipeline and storage assets, supporting the transportation and management of gas within its service areas.

Atmos Energy serves more than 3 million distribution customers across eight states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas and Colorado. Its distribution operations include a large network of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure, while its pipeline and storage business provides transportation and storage services primarily in Texas and Mississippi.

The company traces its history to 1906 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.