Ameren Corporation (AEE) vs Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)

ATO leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though AEE is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Ameren Corporation and Atmos Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AEE vs ATO

growth of $100 · last 30y
AEE +187.0%ATO +596.9%ATO compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$287$697
AEE ATO

AEE vs ATO: by the numbers

  • AEE is the larger company ($30.58B vs $28.49B market cap).
  • AEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.87 vs 20.86 P/E).
  • ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 17.17% net margin).
  • ATO grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.80% vs 8.44% CAGR).
  • AEE pays the higher dividend yield (2.64% vs 2.28%).

Which is better, AEE or ATO?

Metric tally: AEE 6 · ATO 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAEE(lower P/E)
GrowthATO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAEE(higher dividend yield)
QualityATO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAEEATO
P/E ratio19.8720.86
Forward P/E19.0318.93
P/S ratio3.465.83
P/B ratio2.271.91
PEG ratio0.872.18
EV / EBITDA7.7914.71

Profitability

MetricAEEATO
Gross margin39.38%51.43%
Operating margin23.97%35.87%
Net margin17.17%27.58%
ROE11.24%9.03%
ROIC4.01%4.58%

Dividends

MetricAEEATO
Dividend yield2.64%2.28%
Payout ratio54.28%51.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAEEATO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.44%8.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.79%9.05%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-39.48%19.32%
Total return CAGR (5Y)8.80%13.95%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AEE or ATO?
It depends on your goal. value: AEE (lower P/E); growth: ATO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AEE (higher dividend yield); quality: ATO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ATO leads 9 to 6.
Is AEE or ATO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AEE is cheaper: AEE trades at a 19.87 P/E and ATO at 20.86.
Which has grown faster, AEE or ATO?
Over the past five years, ATO grew revenue faster — AEE at a 8.44% CAGR versus ATO at 8.80%.
Does AEE or ATO pay a bigger dividend?
AEE yields 2.64% and ATO yields 2.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AEE or ATO more profitable?
ATO runs the higher net margin — AEE at 17.17% versus ATO at 27.58%.
Which has been the better investment, AEE or ATO?
Over the past 10-year, AEE delivered the higher annualized total return — AEE at 11.18% versus ATO at 10.97%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 17, 2026.