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Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO)
NYSE:ATO

Atmos Energy (ATO) AI Stock Analysis

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Atmos Energy

(NYSE:ATO)

Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$173.00
▲(13.45%Upside)
Atmos Energy's overall stock score is driven by its strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment. While technical indicators suggest some caution, the company's stable valuation and recent corporate event bolster its investment appeal. The primary risks include cash flow management and rising operating expenses.
Positive Factors
Earnings Performance
ATO reported FY24 EPS of $6.83/sh, beating Mizuho and consensus estimates and topping the high-end of guidance range.
Growth Potential
Refreshed 5-year plan points to promising growth ahead, highlighting robust growth opportunities, particularly in Texas, driven by sustained economic development and demographic expansion.
Regulatory Environment
The Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program in Texas allows Atmos Energy to convert a large portion of capital expenditures to earnings rapidly, supporting robust rate base growth.
Negative Factors
Credit Rating Concerns
There is an anticipated downgrade in Atmos Energy's credit rating due to financial trends and changes in tax status.
Customer Bill Impact
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.
Financial Strategy
Considerable dependence on external equity could be a risk in case of a market downturn and lead to more EPS dilution.

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

Atmos Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAtmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage. The Distribution segment is involved in the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states. This segment distributes natural gas to approximately three million residential, commercial, public authority, and industrial customers. As of September 30, 2021, it owned 71,921 miles of underground distribution and transmission mains. The Pipeline and Storage segment engages in the pipeline and storage operations. This segment transports natural gas for third parties and manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas; and provides ancillary services to the pipeline industry, including parking arrangements, lending, and inventory sales. As of September 30, 2021, it owned 5,699 miles of gas transmission lines. Atmos Energy Corporation was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyAtmos Energy makes money primarily through its regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline operations. The company's revenue model is centered around the sale and delivery of natural gas to its customers, with the majority of its earnings derived from regulated utility operations. Atmos Energy charges its customers for the natural gas supply, delivery, and associated services, which are subject to state and local regulatory oversight. This regulatory framework allows the company to earn a return on its investments in infrastructure and operations, ensuring a stable revenue stream. Additionally, the company benefits from cost recovery mechanisms that enable it to recover expenses incurred in maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure. Atmos Energy's revenue is largely stable and predictable due to the regulated nature of its business, with earnings supported by a growing customer base and ongoing infrastructure investments.

Atmos Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -5.73%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlights Atmos Energy's strong financial performance, customer growth, and operational achievements, particularly in Texas. Despite the increased operating and maintenance expenses and bad debt, the company's positive developments and updated earnings guidance contribute to a favorable outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Year-to-date fiscal '25 net income of $837 million or $5.26 per diluted share, representing a 6.7% increase over the prior year period.
Customer Growth
Atmos Energy added nearly 59,000 new customers in the past 12 months, with almost 46,000 of those customers located in Texas.
Earnings Per Share Guidance Increase
Fiscal '25 earnings per share guidance updated to a range of $7.20 to $7.30.
Operational Achievements
Completion of two more interconnect projects and addition of over 1 Bcf of additional gas supplies fiscal year-to-date.
Customer Satisfaction
Customer support associates and service technicians received a 98% satisfaction rating from customers.
Negative Updates
Increased Operating and Maintenance Expenses
Consolidated O&M expense increased by $74 million, driven by employee-related costs, bad debt expense, and higher levels of line locating, pipeline inspection, and system monitoring activities.
Bad Debt Expense Increase
Bad debt expense increased by $15 million compared to the prior year.
Company Guidance
During the Atmos Energy Corporation's fiscal 2025 second quarter earnings call, several key metrics and updates were provided. The company reported a year-to-date net income of $837 million, or $5.26 per diluted share, and updated its fiscal 2025 earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.20 to $7.30. Atmos Energy added nearly 59,000 new customers over the 12 months ending March 31, 2025, with a significant portion located in Texas, where employment trends remain favorable. The company also saw solid commercial customer growth, adding approximately 850 new customers in the second quarter and nearly 2,000 year-to-date. Industrial demand remained strong, with 9 new industrial customers added in the second quarter, expected to contribute approximately 8 Bcf in annual load once operational. Atmos Energy is also progressing on several infrastructure projects, including Phase 2 of APT's Line WA Loop and the Bethel to Groesbeck project, to enhance system safety and reliability. The company achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rating, and its outreach efforts helped nearly 32,000 customers receive over $10 million in funding assistance.

Atmos Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Atmos Energy's financial performance is strong, with robust revenue and profit growth. The income statement reflects operational efficiency, while the balance sheet indicates a stable financial position. However, cash flow management needs improvement due to significant capital expenditures, affecting free cash flow.
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.
BreakdownTTMSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.49B4.17B4.28B4.20B3.41B2.82B
Gross Profit2.44B2.41B2.06B2.52B2.37B2.16B
EBITDA2.28B2.10B1.74B1.49B1.38B1.26B
Net Income1.14B1.04B885.32M774.40M665.56M601.44M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets26.98B25.19B22.52B22.19B19.61B15.36B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments543.50M307.34M15.40M51.55M116.72M20.81M
Total Debt8.51B8.13B7.04B8.15B7.33B4.53B
Total Liabilities13.84B13.04B11.65B12.77B11.70B8.57B
Stockholders Equity13.14B12.16B10.87B9.42B7.91B6.79B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-1.31B-1.20B653.77M-1.47B-3.05B-897.68M
Operating Cash Flow1.95B1.73B3.46B977.58M-1.08B1.04B
Investing Cash Flow-3.23B-2.92B-2.80B-2.43B-1.96B-1.93B
Financing Cash Flow1.57B1.48B-696.77M1.39B3.14B883.78M

Atmos Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price152.49
Price Trends
50DMA
155.74
Negative
100DMA
151.95
Positive
200DMA
145.53
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.41
Negative
RSI
45.07
Neutral
STOCH
31.71
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ATO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 152.49 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 153.34, below the 50-day MA of 155.74, and above the 200-day MA of 145.53, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.41 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 45.07 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 31.71 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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
ATATO
76
Outperform
$24.26B21.329.18%2.27%10.60%8.55%
UGUGI
76
Outperform
$7.66B14.7110.84%4.16%-4.30%
NINI
74
Outperform
$18.70B21.4110.34%2.83%13.08%17.47%
SRSR
72
Outperform
$4.30B18.007.30%4.26%-7.10%2.54%
NJNJR
71
Outperform
$4.48B10.8317.83%4.00%20.30%63.69%
SWSWX
68
Neutral
$5.31B23.666.49%3.33%-10.78%16.27%
67
Neutral
$16.42B16.954.63%3.58%4.77%6.10%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ATO
Atmos Energy
152.49
39.19
34.59%
SR
Spire
72.89
15.14
26.22%
NJR
New Jersey Resources
44.68
3.76
9.19%
NI
Nisource
39.97
12.14
43.62%
SWX
Southwest Gas
74.15
7.21
10.77%
UGI
UGI
36.13
14.53
67.27%

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.

The most recent analyst rating on (ATO) stock is a Buy with a $159.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Atmos Energy stock, see the ATO Stock Forecast page.

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.

The most recent analyst rating on (ATO) stock is a Buy with a $159.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Atmos Energy stock, see the ATO Stock Forecast page.

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: Jun 27, 2025