Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)vsNiSource Inc (NI)
ATO
Atmos Energy Corporation
$156.38
-0.04%
UTILITIES · Cap: $27.09B
NI
NiSource Inc
$39.52
+1.28%
UTILITIES · Cap: $19.46B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
NiSource Inc generates 40% more annual revenue ($6.88B vs $4.92B). ATO leads profitability with a 28.5% profit margin vs 13.2%. ATO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.93. ATO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
ATO
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
NI
Buy50
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
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
4.6% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Earnings declined 58.4%
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 : NI
The strongest argument for NI centers on Price/Book.
Bear Case : ATO
The primary concerns for ATO are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.
Bear Case : NI
The primary concerns for NI are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 1.83 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ATO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.59 — expect wider price swings.
ATO is growing revenue faster at 4.8% — sustainability is the question.
ATO generates stronger free cash flow (-399M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
ATO scores higher overall (68/100 vs 50/100), 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.
NiSource Inc
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA
NiSource Inc. is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. The company is based in Merrillville, Indiana.
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