Lpl Financial Adds $3M in Atmos Energy Corporation ($ATO)
LPL Financial has increased its investment in Atmos Energy by 11.2%, according to a recent 13F filing.
Key Points
- LPL Financial increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 11.2%, adding 19,622 shares to hold a total of 194,277 shares valued at $33.53 million.
- Atmos Energy shares traded near $172.59 on Thursday, with a market cap of approximately $28.31 billion and a P/E ratio of 20.91.
- Insiders at Atmos Energy have been active, with CEO John Akers buying 16,850 shares, and analysts maintaining a 'hold' consensus with a mean target price of $186.18.
Important disclosure: Podchat is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, or financial planner. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Content may be generated by automated systems using public filings, market data, and third-party sources, and may contain errors or omissions. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance, insider activity, analyst ratings, price targets, sentiment scores, and hypothetical or backtested results are not guarantees of future performance. Please do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.
LPL Financial has boosted its position in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) by 11.2%, according to its latest Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm added 19,622 shares during the reporting period, bringing its total holdings to 194,277 shares valued at approximately $33.53 million. This filing reflects holdings as of the end of the reporting period and may not represent the investor's current position.
Lpl Financial vs. the S&P 500
Hypothetical, simulated performance of disclosed positions vs. the S&P 500. Not realized profit and not investment advice. Past performance does not indicate future results. Details.
What Changed in LPL Financial's Atmos Energy Position
LPL Financial increased its stake in Atmos Energy by 11.2%, adding 19,622 shares to its portfolio. The firm now holds 194,277 shares, up from 174,655 shares previously, with the value of its investment reaching about $33.53 million.
Other Institutional Activity in Atmos Energy
Other institutional investors have also been active in Atmos Energy. BlackRock, Inc. grew its holdings by 428,484 shares, ending with 17,451,963 shares worth approximately $3.22 billion, marking a 2.5% increase. State Street Corp added 586,392 shares, bringing its total to 11,372,750 shares valued at $2.10 billion, a 5.4% increase. Vanguard Capital Management LLC opened a new position with 10,735,547 shares valued at $1.98 billion. Meanwhile, Wellington Management Group LLP reduced its stake by 359,036 shares, now holding 9,651,472 shares worth about $1.78 billion, a 3.6% decrease. Capital International Investors decreased its holdings by 4,567,048 shares, a 38.4% reduction, leaving it with 7,326,778 shares valued at $1.35 billion.
Atmos Energy Corporation Stock Up 3.6%
Shares of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) traded near $172.59 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $28.31 billion and a P/E ratio of 20.91. Its stock has seen a 52-week low of $149.98 and a high of $192.51, with a 50-day moving average of $179.06 and a 200-day moving average of $175.25. The company maintains a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 0.61, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 64.59.
$ATO stock price
Daily closing prices, year to date. Not investment advice.
Recent Earnings
In its most recent earnings report, Atmos Energy reported revenue of $4.88 billion, reflecting a growth of 0.6%. The company achieved a net margin of 27.6% and a return on equity of 9.6%. With earnings per share (EPS) of $8.11, the next earnings announcement is expected on August 5, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
-
Forward outlook
2 target raises vs 1 cuts.
-
EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 1.1%. Revenue missed estimates by 7.5%.
-
Profit surprise
EBITDA beat by 6 percent. Operating income beat by 5 percent.
-
Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
-
Analyst signal
2 target raises, 1 target cut.
-
Earnings quality
Gross margin down 2.0 points. Operating margin up 6.7 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
Atmos earned $2.44 per share in the first quarter, up 9.4 percent from last year, beating consensus on earnings. The company benefited from 35 million dollars in impacts from Texas House Bill 4384 and much wider natural gas spreads at its pipeline business. Winter Storm Fern tested the system but caused minimal supply problems because upstream storage worked well. The company added nearly 54,000 new customers over the past year, mainly in Texas, and continues to see strong industrial and data center interest.
Guidance Atmos reaffirmed its full year earnings guidance of $8.15 to $8.35 per share. The company expects to complete 4.2 billion dollars in capital spending this year focused mainly on safety and system modernization. Management said there was no change to the long-term plan despite a recent rate case outcome in Mississippi.
Fine but not compelling. Acceptable results that likely do not create a meaningful forward reset.
Dividend
Atmos Energy offers a dividend rate of $4.00 per share, translating to a yield of 2.35%. The dividend payout ratio stands at 46.1%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Atmos Energy Corporation
Insider trading at Atmos Energy has been active. On May 2, 2026, President and CEO John Akers bought 16,850 shares at an average price of $189.74. Senior Vice President of Human Resources Matt Robbins purchased 2,815 shares at the same price. Additionally, CFO Christopher Forsythe acquired 3,970 shares, also at $189.74. Conversely, Akers sold 6,235 shares at $187.74, and Senior Advisor Karen Hartsfield sold 1,042 shares at $189.74.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Analysts have maintained a 'hold' rating on Atmos Energy. On May 29, 2026, Mizuho set a price target of $184.00. Truist Securities maintained its target at $187.00 on May 18, while TD Cowen set a target of $196.00 on May 15. The consensus among analysts is a 'hold' rating, with a mean target price of $186.18 based on 11 analyst opinions.
About Atmos Energy Corporation
Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading natural gas distributor and pipeline operator in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Distribution, which serves about 3.4 million customers across eight states, and Pipeline and Storage, which manages extensive transmission lines and storage facilities. Founded in 1906, Atmos Energy continues to play a significant role in the regulated utilities sector under the leadership of CEO John Kevin Akers.
Bottom Line
LPL Financial's increased stake in Atmos Energy highlights the firm's confidence in the utility company's prospects. Investors often track such filings to gauge institutional sentiment. However, it's important to remember that 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect current positions. Atmos Energy remains a significant player in the utilities sector, with a steady dividend and active insider trading.
Get Atmos Energy Corporation alerts
New 13F filings, insider trades, and analyst moves on $ATO, sent to your inbox. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
This instant news alert was generated by automated narrative technology and financial data from Podchat and public regulatory filings. It is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
