WallStSmart

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)vsMDU Resources Group Inc (MDU)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Atmos Energy Corporation generates 170% more annual revenue ($4.88B vs $1.81B). ATO leads profitability with a 27.6% profit margin vs 10.5%. ATO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.06. ATO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

ATO

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 4.7Profit: 8.0Value: 5.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.10

MDU

Hold

49

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.7Profit: 5.5Value: 4.3Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 0.89

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ATO3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Operating MarginProfitability
39.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 39.3%

Profit MarginProfitability
27.6%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
1.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

MDU1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

ATO4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.064/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.6%4/10

0.6% revenue growth

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-280.10M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

MDU4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
6.5%3/10

ROE of 6.5% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.692/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-10.2%2/10

Revenue declined 10.2%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ATO

The strongest argument for ATO centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin, Price/Book. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.6% and operating margin at 39.3%.

Bull Case : MDU

The strongest argument for MDU centers on Price/Book.

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 Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ATO profiles as a value stock while MDU is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

ATO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.60 — expect wider price swings.

ATO is growing revenue faster at 0.6% — sustainability is the question.

MDU generates stronger free cash flow (57M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ATO scores higher overall (64/100 vs 49/100), backed by strong 27.6% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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