Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)
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 July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ATO
Atmos Energy Corporation
$177.67UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
AWK
American Water Works Company, Inc.
$138.09UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ATO vs AWK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yATO +1058.7%AWK +943.5%ATO compounded faster
ATO AWK
ATO vs AWK: by the numbers
- •ATO is the larger company ($29.66B vs $26.97B market cap).
- •ATO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.85 vs 23.89 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 21.35% net margin).
- •ATO grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.80% vs 6.32% CAGR).
- •AWK pays the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 2.18%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ATO | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.85 | 23.89 |
| Forward P/E | 21.06 | 22.72 |
| P/S ratio | 6.11 | 5.12 |
| P/B ratio | 2.00 | 2.32 |
| PEG ratio | 2.18 | 3.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.65 | 14.94 |
Profitability
| Metric | ATO | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 51.43% | 44.38% |
| Operating margin | 35.87% | 36.94% |
| Net margin | 27.58% | 21.35% |
| ROE | 9.03% | 9.67% |
| ROIC | 4.58% | 4.21% |
Dividends
| Metric | ATO | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.18% | 2.45% |
| Payout ratio | 51.33% | 59.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ATO | AWK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.80% | 6.32% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.05% | 7.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.95% | -2.13% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ATO or AWK?
- ATO has the lower trailing P/E: ATO trades at 21.85 and AWK at 23.89. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 6.32%.
- Does ATO or AWK pay a bigger dividend?
- ATO yields 2.18% and AWK yields 2.45% 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 21.35%.
- How have ATO and AWK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ATO delivered 10.92% and AWK delivered 7.36% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Atmos Energy P/E ratioAmerican Water Works P/E ratioAtmos Energy dividend yieldAmerican Water Works dividend yieldAtmos Energy ROEAmerican Water Works ROEAtmos Energy operating marginAmerican Water Works operating marginAtmos Energy revenue growthAmerican Water Works revenue growthAtmos Energy free cash flowAmerican Water Works free cash flow
Atmos Energy & American Water Works appear in these rankings
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 July 30, 2026.