Dividend Aristocrat Atmos Energy raises dividend 8.7% in 2020
Atmos Energy, the largest natural-gas-only distributor in the United States, will raise its quarterly dividend to 62.5 cents per share, marking 33 years of consecutive dividend increases.
From the company's press release: The company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per common share. The indicated annual dividend for fiscal 2021 is $2.50, which represents an 8.7% increase over fiscal 2020. The next dividend is payable December 14, 2020, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2020.
Atmos now pays an estimated $308 million in dividends to shareholders annually. The company was added to the Dividend Aristocrats Index earlier this year.
Atmos Energy (ATO) is a fully-regulated, natural-gas-only distributor engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline businesses, as well as other nonregulated natural gas businesses. The company's 3 segments are: regulated distribution segment, which includes its regulated distribution and related sales operations; regulated pipeline segment, which includes pipeline and storage operations of its Atmos Pipeline-Texas Division, and nonregulated segment, which includes its nonregulated natural gas management, nonregulated natural gas transmission, storage and other services. Its nonregulated businesses provide natural gas management, transportation and storage services to local gas distribution companies, including certain of its natural gas distribution divisions and industrial customers in the Midwest and Southeast. It also manages its natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including its intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Atmos Energy has paid a dividend to shareholders every year since 1983.
