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ATO vs NWN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs. Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both ATO and NWN offer stable natural gas utility exposure, with year-to-date (YTD) gains of 13.1% and 15.4%, respectively.
- NWN provides a higher dividend yield at 3.73% compared to ATO's 2.12%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- ATO boasts a larger market capitalization of $31.2 billion versus NWN's $2.2 billion, reflecting greater scale.
- Recent quarters show ATO with net income growth of 9.4%, supported by customer expansion and capital investments exceeding $1 billion.
- Low betas indicate reduced volatility: ATO at 0.65 (beta measures stock volatility relative to the market) and NWN at 0.49.
- Both stocks trade near 52-week highs amid positive sector sentiment, with upcoming earnings on May 6.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines ATO and NWN, two regulated natural gas utilities offering defensive positioning in volatile markets. Investors seeking income stability, low volatility, and exposure to essential energy services may find value in evaluating their relative performance. Recent market activity highlights their resilience, with both benefiting from steady demand and dividend reliability. Traders analyzing utilities sector trends, relative strength, and growth catalysts will gain insights into positioning amid shifting sentiment.
ATO Overview and Recent Performance
Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) operates in regulated natural gas distribution across eight states, serving 3.4 million customers, alongside pipeline and storage operations primarily in Texas. In recent weeks, ATO shares have traded near the upper end of their 52-week range ($149.98–$192.51), reflecting YTD gains of 13.1% and a trailing P/E ratio (price-to-earnings) of 24.58. Strong first-quarter results, including a 9.4% rise in net income to $403 million and capital expenditures over $1 billion, have bolstered sentiment. Customer growth and operational efficiency have driven performance, with analyst targets around $189 supporting positive momentum despite moderate dividend yield.
NWN Overview and Recent Performance
Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) focuses on regulated natural gas distribution in Oregon and Washington, with additional water and renewable gas operations. Shares have shown stability near 52-week highs ($39.10–$55.99), posting YTD returns of 15.4% and a trailing P/E of 19.08. Recent dividend declarations and solid quarterly revenue of $394 million have sustained investor interest, aided by its status as a dividend payer. Lower beta and defensive appeal have contributed to outperformance versus broader utilities in recent market activity, though higher debt levels warrant monitoring.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ATO and NWN share regulated gas distribution models but differ in scale and diversification: ATO spans eight states with pipeline assets, while NWN is regionally focused with water services. Growth drivers include ATO’s customer additions versus NWN’s renewables push. Recent momentum favors ATO amid earnings beats, though NWN leads YTD. Risk factors involve regulatory pressures and debt—NWN’s debt-to-equity at 182% exceeds ATO’s 67%—with both benefiting from utilities sector tailwinds. Market sentiment tilts toward ATO for size, but NWN for yield trade-offs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI would likely favor ATO in the current environment due to its trend consistency, larger scale, recent earnings catalysts, and positioning near 52-week highs with projected EPS growth. While NWN offers superior yield and YTD edge, ATO’s stability and momentum provide higher probability of outperformance amid utilities rotation.
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 NWN is a StrongBuy.
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 whileNWN’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ATO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- NWN’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 NWN’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ATO’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NWN’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ATO (@Gas Distributors) experienced а -0.16% price change this week, while NWN (@Gas Distributors) price change was +0.16% 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.
NWN is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 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 | NWN | ATO / NWN | |
| Capitalization | 28.4B | 2.1B | 1,354% |
| EBITDA | 2.59B | 483M | 537% |
| Gain YTD | 2.530 | 8.813 | 29% |
| P/E Ratio | 20.93 | 17.08 | 123% |
| Revenue | 4.88B | 1.29B | 380% |
| Total Cash | 126M | 34.9M | 361% |
| Total Debt | 9.63B | 2.68B | 359% |
ATO | NWN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 20 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 59 Fair valued | 18 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 73 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 79 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | 51 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 47 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | n/a |
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.
NWN's Valuation (18) in the Gas Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ATO (59). This means that NWN’s stock grew somewhat faster than ATO’s over the last 12 months.
ATO's Profit vs Risk Rating (8) in the Gas Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NWN (73). This means that ATO’s stock grew somewhat faster than NWN’s over the last 12 months.
ATO's SMR Rating (74) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as NWN (79). This means that ATO’s stock grew similarly to NWN’s over the last 12 months.
NWN's Price Growth Rating (51) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (59). This means that NWN’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
NWN's P/E Growth Rating (47) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (55). This means that NWN’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
| ATO | NWN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 49% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 55% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 35% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 35% | 3 days ago 44% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 49% | 5 days ago 53% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 40% | 14 days ago 50% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 49% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 29% | 3 days ago 47% |
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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.
NWN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NWN has been closely correlated with SR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NWN jumps, then SR could also see price increases.