Atmos Energy price target raised to $147 from $142 at Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley analyst David Arcaro raised the firm’s price target on Atmos Energy (ATO) to $147 from $142 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm is updating its price targets for North American Regulated and Diversified Utilities/IPPs, the analyst tells investors. In February, utilities outperformed the S&P’s -1.30% return, the firm says. Key takeaways from the firm’s annual Energy & Power Conference includes continued strong demand from data centers; regulatory uncertainty in power markets; renewables defense with safe harboring, equipment onshoring, and rising return levels; and new generation build challenges, the firm notes.