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ATO vs NI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs. NiSource Inc. (NI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- NiSource (NI) has outperformed Atmos Energy (ATO) in year-to-date (YTD) gains at 16.65% compared to 13.10%, and one-year returns of 26.71% versus 20.32%.
- Both stocks offer reliable dividend yields—2.50% for NI and 2.12% for ATO—appealing to income investors in the defensive utilities sector.
- Recent 90-day momentum favors ATO at 14.21%, while NI shows strength from new data center power agreements.
- Low betas (0.57 for NI, 0.65 for ATO—a measure of stock volatility relative to the market) underscore their stability.
- Upcoming Q1/Q2 earnings reports on May 6 signal growth, with analysts projecting EPS increases for both.
Introduction
In the stable utilities sector, Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) and NiSource Inc. (NI) represent prominent natural gas distributors, drawing interest from dividend seekers and defensive investors navigating market volatility. This stock comparison evaluates their business models, recent performance, growth drivers, and relative positioning. With both exhibiting resilience amid economic shifts, traders can assess trade-offs in momentum, yields, and catalysts. Understanding these dynamics aids in building balanced portfolios focused on regulated revenue streams and long-term reliability in energy infrastructure.
ATO Overview and Recent Performance
Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) operates as a regulated natural gas utility, serving 3.4 million customers across eight states through its Distribution segment (76,000 miles of mains) and Pipeline and Storage operations (5,700 miles of transmission and five storage facilities in Texas). In recent market activity, ATO shares have demonstrated positive momentum, gaining about 14.21% over the past 90 days amid strong earnings expectations and operational efficiencies. Trading near its 52-week high of $192.51 with a market cap of $31.19 billion, PE ratio (price-to-earnings, TTM) of 24.58, and beta of 0.65, sentiment reflects confidence in its regulated growth and dividend consistency. Key influences include anticipated Q2 EPS growth of 10.9% and analyst upgrades.
NI Overview and Recent Performance
NiSource Inc. (NI) is an energy holding company providing regulated natural gas distribution (37,300 miles of mains serving multiple states) and electricity generation/transmission to 0.5 million customers in Indiana via Columbia and NIPSCO segments. Recent weeks have seen NI shares advance, with approximately 6.13% monthly and 13.33% YTD gains, supported by long-term power deals with Alphabet and Amazon for data centers. At a market cap of $23 billion, PE ratio of 24.66, dividend yield of 2.50%, and beta of 0.57, performance is buoyed by projected Q1 EPS growth of 5.1% and decarbonization initiatives targeting net zero by 2040.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both ATO and NI thrive on regulated gas distribution models, but NI diversifies with electric operations, exposing it to power demand growth. NI’s data center contracts provide unique catalysts versus ATO’s pipeline focus. Recent momentum tilts to NI (higher YTD/1Y returns), though ATO excels in 90-day gains. Risk profiles are similar—low betas and regulatory stability—but NI faces execution risks on electrification. Sector exposure remains utilities, with positive sentiment driven by infrastructure needs; trade-offs center on NI’s growth upside versus ATO’s pure-play consistency.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors NI with higher probability for near-term outperformance, owing to superior YTD and one-year returns, data center catalysts, and robust earnings outlook. While ATO offers steady momentum, NI’s relative positioning aligns better with trending utility demand.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ATO is a StrongBuy and NI is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ATO’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileNI’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ATO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- NI’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ATO’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NI’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ATO’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NI’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ATO (@Gas Distributors) experienced а -0.16% price change this week, while NI (@Gas Distributors) price change was +1.29% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Gas Distributors industry was -0.75%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.35%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.01%.
Reported Earning Dates
ATO is expected to report earnings on Aug 12, 2026.
NI is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Gas Distributors (-0.75% weekly)Gas distributors are involved in moving and selling gas – from wellheads or over-distribution systems operated by other firms – to residential and non-residential customers. These companies perform tasks such as the gathering and processing of gas, intrastate and interstate transport, and delivery to the customer. Some of the biggest gas distributing companies in the U.S. include Sempra Energy, Avangrid Inc and Atmos Energy Corporation.
| ATO | NI | ATO / NI | |
| Capitalization | 28.4B | 22.6B | 126% |
| EBITDA | 2.59B | 3.14B | 83% |
| Gain YTD | 2.530 | 14.540 | 17% |
| P/E Ratio | 20.93 | 23.49 | 89% |
| Revenue | 4.88B | 6.82B | 72% |
| Total Cash | 126M | 71.9M | 175% |
| Total Debt | 9.63B | 16.8B | 57% |
ATO | NI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 78 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 59 Fair valued | 75 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 71 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | 32 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 45 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ATO's Valuation (59) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as NI (75). This means that ATO’s stock grew similarly to NI’s over the last 12 months.
NI's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (8). This means that NI’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
NI's SMR Rating (71) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (74). This means that NI’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
NI's Price Growth Rating (32) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (59). This means that NI’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
NI's P/E Growth Rating (45) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (55). This means that NI’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
| ATO | NI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 67% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 43% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 54% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 70% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 35% | 3 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 35% | 3 days ago 54% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 49% | 5 days ago 53% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 40% | 14 days ago 31% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 29% | 3 days ago 29% |
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ATO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ATO has been closely correlated with OGS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ATO jumps, then OGS could also see price increases.
NI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NI has been closely correlated with ATO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 66% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NI jumps, then ATO could also see price increases.