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Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO)
NYSE:ATO
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Atmos Energy (ATO) AI Stock Analysis

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ATO

Atmos Energy

(NYSE:ATO)

Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$188.00
â–²(13.64% Upside)
Atmos Energy's overall stock score is driven by strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment. The company's robust technical indicators and strategic financial moves further support its position. However, concerns about cash flow management and moderate valuation temper the score.
Positive Factors
Earnings
ATO reported FY24 EPS of $6.83/sh, beating Mizuho and consensus estimates and topping the high-end of guidance range.
Growth Potential
ATO's five-year capex update represented a +41% increase from the prior plan, indicating strong future growth potential.
Market Confidence
The 7.4% growth guidance for FY25 speaks to management's confidence in its asset base and anticipated benefits from the Waha spread.
Negative Factors
Financial Burden
ATO increased its financing budget by 50% to support the new capex outlook, which could cause concerns about additional financial burden.
Financial Risk
Considerable dependence on external equity could be a risk in case of a market downturn and lead to more EPS dilution.
Regulatory Risk
ATO forecasts an ~8-9% CAGR in customer bills, above historical inflation levels, which could be a risk if gas prices spike as it could crowd investment headroom and cause regulatory backlash.

Atmos Energy (ATO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Atmos Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAtmos Energy Corporation is one of the largest natural gas distribution companies in the United States, serving over three million customers across several states, primarily in the southern and midwestern regions. The company is involved in the distribution of natural gas through its extensive pipeline network, and it also engages in storage and transportation activities. Atmos Energy focuses on providing reliable, affordable natural gas service while emphasizing safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
How the Company Makes MoneyAtmos Energy generates revenue primarily through the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company earns money by charging customers for the natural gas they consume, as well as for the delivery of that gas. Revenue is derived from regulated rates set by state utility commissions, which allows Atmos Energy to recover its costs and earn a return on its investments in infrastructure. Key revenue streams include base rates, which cover the cost of gas delivery, and additional charges for services such as storage and transportation. Atmos Energy also benefits from partnerships with suppliers and other stakeholders in the energy sector, which can enhance its operational efficiency and expand its service offerings. Additionally, the company may experience revenue growth through infrastructure investments and expansion into new markets.

Atmos Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a positive sentiment, with significant highlights including an increase in earnings guidance, strong customer growth, and favorable legislative impacts. Challenges such as increased operational expenses were outweighed by the company's achievements and financial strength.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increased Earnings Guidance
Atmos Energy updated its fiscal '25 earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.35 to $7.45, up from the prior range of $7.20 to $7.30, reflecting improved financial performance.
Strong Customer Growth
The company added nearly 58,000 new residential customers in the past 12 months, with 45,000 in Texas, and 22 new industrial customers fiscal year-to-date.
Texas Legislation Impact
House Bill 4384 allows more capital spending to be deferred for future recovery, increasing eligible spending from 45% to 80%.
High Customer Satisfaction
Customer support associates and service technicians received a 97% satisfaction rating from customers.
Recognition as a Trusted Brand
Atmos Energy was named one of the 2025 Most Trusted Brands by Eskent, placing first among 40 utilities in the South region.
Robust Financial Position
The company maintains a strong equity capitalization of 60% and approximately $5.5 billion of liquidity.
Negative Updates
Increased Operational Expenses
Consolidated O&M increased by $85 million due to higher employee-related costs, pipeline inspection activities, and bad debt expenses.
Impact of Bad Debt Expense
A $14 million nonrecurring reduction in bad debt expense was recognized in the prior year, impacting current O&M figures.
Company Guidance
During the Atmos Energy Corporation's Fiscal Year 2025 Third Quarter Earnings Conference Call, the company reported a year-to-date net income of $1 billion, translating to $6.40 per diluted share, and updated its fiscal 2025 earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.35 to $7.45. Atmos Energy highlighted substantial customer growth, including the addition of nearly 58,000 new residential customers and 22 new industrial customers with an anticipated annual load of approximately 3.4 Bcf. The company also emphasized improved regulatory outcomes, which increased operating income by $322 million, and a significant capital spending increase of 22% to $2.6 billion, aimed at enhancing system safety and reliability. The call noted the impact of recent Texas legislation, House Bill 4384, which is expected to enhance earnings per share by approximately $0.10 in the fourth quarter. Furthermore, Atmos Energy maintained a solid financial position with an equity capitalization of 60% and $5.5 billion in liquidity, and projected continued earnings growth in the range of 6% to 8% annually.

Atmos Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Atmos Energy demonstrates strong revenue and profit growth with robust operational efficiency. The income statement and balance sheet are solid, though cash flow management needs improvement due to high capital expenditures.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Atmos Energy has shown robust revenue growth, with the most recent TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue up 7.7% from the previous year. The company maintains a strong Gross Profit Margin of 54.4% and a healthy Net Profit Margin of 25.3%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also solid at 33.3% and 50.9%, respectively, indicating strong operational efficiency. Overall, the income statement reflects both growth and profitability.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet shows a moderate Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65, indicating a balanced approach to leveraging. The Return on Equity (ROE) is strong at 8.7%, reflecting efficient use of shareholder funds. The Equity Ratio of 48.7% demonstrates a healthy proportion of equity financing relative to total assets. The company's financial position appears stable with manageable leverage.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Operating cash flow has grown to $1.95 billion, although free cash flow remains negative at -$1.31 billion due to significant capital expenditures. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is not favorable, suggesting a need for improved cash generation relative to earnings. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 1.71, indicating good cash generation capabilities despite the high capital expenditure outlays.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.62B4.17B4.28B4.20B3.41B2.82B
Gross Profit2.49B2.41B2.06B1.81B1.70B1.53B
EBITDA2.33B2.10B1.74B1.49B1.38B1.26B
Net Income1.16B1.04B885.32M774.40M665.56M601.44M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets27.71B25.19B22.52B22.19B19.61B15.36B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments713.60M307.34M15.40M51.55M116.72M20.81M
Total Debt9.00B8.13B7.12B8.37B7.56B4.77B
Total Liabilities14.33B13.04B11.65B12.77B11.70B8.57B
Stockholders Equity13.39B12.16B10.87B9.42B7.91B6.79B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-1.37B-1.20B653.77M-1.47B-3.05B-897.68M
Operating Cash Flow2.03B1.73B3.46B977.58M-1.08B1.04B
Investing Cash Flow-3.40B-2.92B-2.80B-2.43B-1.96B-1.93B
Financing Cash Flow1.40B1.48B-696.77M1.39B3.14B883.78M

Atmos Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price165.43
Price Trends
50DMA
157.41
Positive
100DMA
155.82
Positive
200DMA
149.47
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.71
Negative
RSI
64.38
Neutral
STOCH
41.91
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ATO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 165.43 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 162.77, above the 50-day MA of 157.41, and above the 200-day MA of 149.47, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.71 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 64.38 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 41.91 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ATO.

Atmos Energy Risk Analysis

Atmos Energy disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Atmos Energy reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Atmos Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$26.65B22.939.05%2.09%12.90%7.70%
77
Outperform
$4.73B11.5918.03%3.82%21.88%71.35%
72
Outperform
$7.48B18.358.75%4.33%-0.52%-39.42%
70
Neutral
$19.95B22.5210.56%2.62%16.98%12.45%
68
Neutral
$4.52B17.978.24%3.50%13.43%6.49%
67
Neutral
$17.59B18.195.33%3.63%7.33%12.21%
65
Neutral
$5.58B28.865.41%3.19%-10.07%5.98%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ATO
Atmos Energy
165.43
37.58
29.39%
NJR
New Jersey Resources
47.09
2.52
5.65%
NI
Nisource
42.14
10.02
31.20%
SWX
Southwest Gas
77.84
7.49
10.65%
UGI
UGI
34.61
10.93
46.16%
OGS
ONE Gas
76.22
9.70
14.58%

Atmos Energy Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Atmos Energy Completes $500 Million Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Jun 26, 2025

On June 26, 2025, Atmos Energy completed a public offering of $500 million in 5.200% Senior Notes due 2035, raising approximately $493.5 million after expenses. This move strengthens Atmos Energy’s financial position, allowing flexibility in managing its debt obligations and supporting strategic initiatives, while the restrictive covenants and potential events of default outlined in the Indenture provide a structured framework for financial governance.

Private Placements and Financing
Atmos Energy Announces $500M Senior Notes Offering
Neutral
Jun 26, 2025

On June 16, 2025, Atmos Energy Corporation announced an underwriting agreement for a $500 million public offering of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2035. The offering, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, is expected to close on June 26, 2025, with net proceeds of approximately $493.5 million, which will impact the company’s financial operations and potentially strengthen its market position.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 19, 2025