Is ATO or AWK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, ATO is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.91 P/E and AWK at 22.36.

Which has grown faster, ATO or AWK?

Over the past five years, ATO grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus AWK at 6.38%.

Does ATO or AWK pay a bigger dividend?

ATO yields 2.28% and AWK yields 2.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is ATO or AWK more profitable?

ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus AWK at 21.17%.

Which has been the better investment, ATO or AWK?

Over the past 10-year, ATO delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.97% versus AWK at 7.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)

ATO leads on 9 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Atmos Energy Corporation and American Water Works Company, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

ATO

Atmos Energy Corporation

$28.37B

$169.96Utilities

AWK

American Water Works Company, Inc.

$24.67B

$126.31Utilities

Total return — ATO vs AWK

growth of $100 · last 18y

ATO +522.3%AWK +513.2%ATO compounded faster

ATO AWK

ATO vs AWK: by the numbers

•ATO is the larger company ($28.37B vs $24.67B market cap).
•ATO trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.91 vs 22.36 P/E).
•ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 21.17% net margin).
•ATO grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.80% vs 6.38% CAGR).
•AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.67% vs 2.28%).

Which is better, ATO or AWK?

Metric tally: ATO 9 · AWK 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueATO(lower P/E)

GrowthATO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeAWK(higher dividend yield)

QualityATO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	ATO	AWK
P/E ratio	20.91●	22.36
Forward P/E	18.97	19.25
P/S ratio	5.84	4.73●
P/B ratio	1.91●	2.23
PEG ratio	2.18●	3.98
EV / EBITDA	14.73	14.34●

Profitability

Metric	ATO	AWK
Gross margin	51.43%●	43.55%
Operating margin	35.87%	36.48%
Net margin	27.58%●	21.17%
ROE	9.03%	9.98%●
ROIC	4.58%●	4.21%

Dividends

Metric	ATO	AWK
Dividend yield	2.28%	2.67%●
Payout ratio	51.33%	59.25%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	ATO	AWK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.80%●	6.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	9.05%●	7.78%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	19.32%	—
Total return CAGR (5Y)	13.57%●	-2.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ATO or AWK?: It depends on your goal. value: ATO (lower P/E); growth: ATO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AWK (higher dividend yield); quality: ATO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ATO leads 9 to 4.
Is ATO or AWK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, ATO is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.91 P/E and AWK at 22.36.
Which has grown faster, ATO or AWK?: Over the past five years, ATO grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus AWK at 6.38%.
Does ATO or AWK pay a bigger dividend?: ATO yields 2.28% and AWK yields 2.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ATO or AWK more profitable?: ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus AWK at 21.17%.
Which has been the better investment, ATO or AWK?: Over the past 10-year, ATO delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.97% versus AWK at 7.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full ATO analysis Full AWK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Atmos Energy P/E ratio American Water Works P/E ratio Atmos Energy dividend yield American Water Works dividend yield Atmos Energy ROE American Water Works ROE Atmos Energy operating margin American Water Works operating margin Atmos Energy revenue growth American Water Works revenue growth Atmos Energy free cash flow American Water Works free cash flow

Atmos Energy & American Water Works appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest Operating Margin Stocks

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 15, 2026.