Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)

ATO leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though CMS is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Atmos Energy Corporation and CMS Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ATO vs CMS

growth of $100 · last 30y
ATO +597.1%CMS +150.4%ATO compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$697$250
ATO CMS

ATO vs CMS: by the numbers

  • ATO is the larger company ($28.37B vs $22.73B market cap).
  • CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.16 vs 20.91 P/E).
  • ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 12.55% net margin).
  • ATO grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.80% vs 5.66% CAGR).
  • CMS pays the higher dividend yield (3.02% vs 2.28%).

Which is better, ATO or CMS?

Metric tally: ATO 9 · CMS 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricATOCMS
P/E ratio20.9120.16
Forward P/E18.9717.63
P/S ratio5.842.51
P/B ratio1.912.34
PEG ratio2.183.45
EV / EBITDA14.7312.67

Profitability

MetricATOCMS
Gross margin51.43%64.61%
Operating margin35.87%19.53%
Net margin27.58%12.55%
ROE9.03%11.69%
ROIC4.58%3.67%

Dividends

MetricATOCMS
Dividend yield2.28%3.02%
Payout ratio51.33%63.03%

Growth (annualized)

MetricATOCMS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.80%5.66%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.05%5.90%
FCF CAGR (5Y)19.32%-16.59%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.57%7.18%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ATO or CMS?
It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: ATO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CMS (higher dividend yield); quality: ATO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ATO leads 9 to 7.
Is ATO or CMS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.91 P/E and CMS at 20.16.
Which has grown faster, ATO or CMS?
Over the past five years, ATO grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus CMS at 5.66%.
Does ATO or CMS pay a bigger dividend?
ATO yields 2.28% and CMS yields 3.02% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ATO or CMS more profitable?
ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus CMS at 12.55%.
Which has been the better investment, ATO or CMS?
Over the past 10-year, ATO delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.97% versus CMS at 8.60%. 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 13, 2026.