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ATO vs SR
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs. Spire Inc. (SR) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both ATO and SR operate in the natural gas utility sector, with ATO boasting a larger market capitalization of approximately $31 billion compared to SR's $5.3 billion.
- SR offers a higher dividend yield at 3.65% versus ATO's 2.12%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- ATO has demonstrated stronger year-to-date performance at 13.1% compared to SR's 10.3%.
- Recent weeks have seen ATO gain momentum with positive analyst attention and peer outperformance, while SR advances through strategic asset sales.
- SR trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.78 versus ATO's 24.58, suggesting relative value.
Introduction
Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) and Spire Inc. (SR) are key players in the regulated natural gas distribution sector, serving millions of customers across multiple states. This comparison is particularly relevant for investors seeking stable utility exposure amid fluctuating energy markets and interest rate environments. Dividend-oriented portfolios, sector rotation strategies, and those monitoring infrastructure-driven growth will find value in evaluating their relative performance, valuation metrics, and recent developments. Both stocks offer defensive qualities typical of utilities, but differences in scale, yield, and momentum provide clear trade-offs for traders assessing market positioning.
ATO Overview and Recent Performance
Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) engages in regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline operations across eight states, serving about 3.4 million customers with 76,000 miles of mains. Its pipeline and storage segment supports third-party transport. In recent market activity, ATO has shown upward momentum, with shares rising amid expectations of Q2 earnings per share (EPS) growth of 10.9% year-over-year to $3.36. Analyst upgrades, such as Bank of America's target increase, and outperformance against utilities peers have bolstered sentiment. Year-to-date gains near 13% reflect steady capital expenditures on safety and infrastructure, influencing positive price behavior despite broader sector pressures.
SR Overview and Recent Performance
Spire Inc. (SR) provides natural gas distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers primarily in Missouri and Alabama, alongside gas marketing and midstream activities. Recent weeks have featured strategic divestitures, including its gas marketing business to Boardwalk Pipelines for $215 million, Mississippi operations for $75 million, and gas storage assets for $650 million. These moves aim to sharpen focus on core utilities. Dividend declarations and upcoming earnings expectations have supported stability, with shares trading near 52-week highs. Sentiment benefits from earnings beats in prior quarters, though modest YTD gains of 10% trail some peers amid these transitions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both ATO and SR center on regulated natural gas distribution, but ATO emphasizes broader pipeline infrastructure, while SR is streamlining via non-core sales. Growth drivers include infrastructure capex for both, though ATO's scale supports higher absolute investments. Recent momentum favors ATO with weekly gains and peer outperformance, versus SR's transitional stability. Risk factors like regulatory changes and weather volatility are shared, but SR faces integration risks from divestitures. Sector exposure is identical in utilities, yet SR's higher yield contrasts ATO's growth tilt, with market sentiment leaning positive for both amid earnings anticipation.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward ATO due to its consistent trend strength, larger operational scale, and superior relative performance against utilities peers in recent weeks. Factors like positive earnings momentum and stability near 52-week highs position it favorably, though SR's value metrics and yield offer appeal in a risk-off environment. This assessment reflects observable trends rather than guarantees.
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 Buy and SR is a Hold.
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 whileSR’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ATO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- SR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SR’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ATO’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
- SR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
ATO (@Gas Distributors) experienced а -2.84% price change this week, while SR (@Gas Distributors) price change was -3.60% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Gas Distributors industry was -0.93%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.84%, and the average quarterly price growth was +7.21%.
Reported Earning Dates
ATO is expected to report earnings on Aug 12, 2026.
SR is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Gas Distributors (-0.93% 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 | SR | ATO / SR | |
| Capitalization | 30.4B | 5.12B | 594% |
| EBITDA | 2.59B | 886M | 293% |
| Gain YTD | 9.254 | 4.649 | 199% |
| P/E Ratio | 22.43 | 17.53 | 128% |
| Revenue | 4.88B | 2.6B | 188% |
| Total Cash | 126M | 49.5M | 255% |
| Total Debt | 9.63B | 7.96B | 121% |
ATO | SR | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 57 | 55 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 76 Overvalued | 49 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 5 | 37 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 71 | 70 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 57 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 65 |
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.
SR's Valuation (49) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (76). This means that SR’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
ATO's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as SR (37). This means that ATO’s stock grew similarly to SR’s over the last 12 months.
SR's SMR Rating (70) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as ATO (71). This means that SR’s stock grew similarly to ATO’s over the last 12 months.
ATO's Price Growth Rating (54) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as SR (59). This means that ATO’s stock grew similarly to SR’s over the last 12 months.
ATO's P/E Growth Rating (46) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as SR (57). This means that ATO’s stock grew similarly to SR’s over the last 12 months.
| ATO | SR | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 37% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 37% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 33% | 2 days ago 46% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 33% | 2 days ago 43% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 15 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 38% | 6 days ago 49% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 27% | 2 days ago 42% |
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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 76% 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.