Atmos Energy (ATO) Gets Target Boost as Morgan Stanley Revises Utility Sector Outlook

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) is recognized as a high-quality dividend stock suitable for long-term investors [1] - Morgan Stanley has raised its price target for Atmos Energy to $182 from $181, maintaining an Overweight rating, while noting that utilities have underperformed compared to the broader S&P in October [2] - Atmos Energy announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.00 per share, marking its 41st consecutive year of dividend increases and 168th consecutive quarterly payout [3] Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, Atmos Energy reported capital spending of $3.6 billion, with approximately 87% allocated to safety and reliability initiatives [4] - The company has about $4.9 billion in available liquidity and $1.8 billion in financing to support ongoing operations [4] Company Overview - Atmos Energy is one of the major regulated natural gas utilities in the United States, focusing on essential services and maintaining a stable customer base that supports its steady business profile in the regulated utilities sector [5]