Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)vsMDU Resources Group Inc (MDU)
ATO
Atmos Energy Corporation
$163.19
-0.98%
UTILITIES · Cap: $28.40B
MDU
MDU Resources Group Inc
$19.20
-0.21%
UTILITIES · Cap: $4.12B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Atmos Energy Corporation generates 169% more annual revenue ($4.92B vs $1.83B). ATO leads profitability with a 28.5% profit margin vs 10.7%. ATO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.02. ATO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).
ATO
Strong Buy66
out of 100
Grade: B-
MDU
Buy61
out of 100
Grade: C+
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 37.2%
Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 23.3% YoY
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 47.2% YoY
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
4.8% revenue growth
Weak financial health signals
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
ROE of 6.5% — below average capital efficiency
Weak financial health signals
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ATO
The strongest argument for ATO centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin, Price/Book. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.5% and operating margin at 37.2%.
Bull Case : MDU
The strongest argument for MDU centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : ATO
The primary concerns for ATO are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.
Bear Case : MDU
The primary concerns for MDU are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ATO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.59 — expect wider price swings.
MDU is growing revenue faster at 6.9% — sustainability is the question.
MDU generates stronger free cash flow (72M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
ATO scores higher overall (66/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 28.5% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Atmos Energy Corporation
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA
Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the United States' largest natural-gas-only distributors.
MDU Resources Group Inc
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA
MDU Resources Group, Inc. is involved in the regulated power supply and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. The company is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota.
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