5 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Financial Freedom

2. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)

Dividend Yield as of May 12: 2.43%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is a Texas-based company that offers regulated natural gas distribution, as well as gas pipelines and storage in the United States. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) declared on May 4 a $0.68 per share quarterly dividend, payable on June 6, to shareholders of record on May 23. The company has raised its dividend payouts for 37 years consistently. 

On May 4, Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) reported earnings for the first fiscal quarter of 2022. The company posted an EPS of $2.37, beating consensus estimates by $0.03. The Q1 revenue came in at $1.65 billion, up 25.07% year-over-year, outperforming analysts’ predictions by $256.51 million. 

Wells Fargo analyst Sarah Akers maintained an Overweight rating on Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) and raised the price target on the shares to $130 from $120 on May 5. With fiscal Q2 in the books, Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) updated the 2022 EPS guidance range to $5.50-5.60, the analyst noted. She remains impressed by Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)’s execution, which is driven by strong underlying customer growth and constructive regulatory treatment.

According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 20 hedge funds were long Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO), up from 16 funds in the preceding quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners held the largest position in the company, with 3.5 million shares worth $375.2 million.