WallStSmart

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)vsSpire Inc (SR)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Atmos Energy Corporation generates 88% more annual revenue ($4.88B vs $2.60B). ATO leads profitability with a 27.6% profit margin vs 13.8%. ATO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.06. SR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

ATO

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

SR

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.57

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

SR4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
30.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.2%

P/E RatioValuation
16.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
31.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 31.0% YoY

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

SR4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.464/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.5%4/10

4.5% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.572/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.331/10

Elevated debt levels

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 : SR

The strongest argument for SR centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : ATO

The primary concerns for ATO are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : SR

The primary concerns for SR are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.33 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

SR is growing revenue faster at 4.5% — sustainability is the question.

SR generates stronger free cash flow (218M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

SR scores higher overall (68/100 vs 64/100). 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.

Spire Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA

Spire Inc. engages in the purchase, retail distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and other end-users of natural gas in the United States. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

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