Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs NiSource Inc. (NI)
NI leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though ATO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Atmos Energy Corporation and NiSource 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).
Total return — ATO vs NI
growth of $100 · last 30yATO +592.2%NI +559.3%ATO compounded faster
ATO NI
ATO vs NI: by the numbers
- •ATO is the larger company ($28.31B vs $22.76B market cap).
- •ATO trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.86 vs 23.62 P/E).
- •ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 14.10% net margin).
- •ATO grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.80% vs 8.10% CAGR).
- •NI pays the higher dividend yield (2.44% vs 2.28%).
Which is better, ATO or NI?
Metric tally: ATO 7 · NI 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueATO(lower P/E)
GrowthATO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNI(higher dividend yield)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ATO | NI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.86● | 23.62 |
| Forward P/E | 18.93● | 21.20 |
| P/S ratio | 5.83 | 3.35● |
| P/B ratio | 1.91● | 2.36 |
| PEG ratio | 2.18 | 1.05● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.71 | 12.66● |
Profitability
| Metric | ATO | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 51.43% | 55.92%● |
| Operating margin | 35.87%● | 27.78% |
| Net margin | 27.58%● | 14.10% |
| ROE | 9.03% | 9.96%● |
| ROIC | 4.58% | 4.51% |
Dividends
| Metric | ATO | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.28% | 2.44%● |
| Payout ratio | 51.33% | 59.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ATO | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.80%● | 8.10% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.05% | 14.27%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 19.32%● | -7.40% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.71% | 16.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ATO or NI?
- It depends on your goal. value: ATO (lower P/E); growth: ATO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NI (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, NI leads 8 to 7.
- Is ATO or NI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ATO is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.86 P/E and NI at 23.62.
- Which has grown faster, ATO or NI?
- Over the past five years, ATO grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus NI at 8.10%.
- Does ATO or NI pay a bigger dividend?
- ATO yields 2.28% and NI yields 2.44% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ATO or NI more profitable?
- ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus NI at 14.10%.
- Which has been the better investment, ATO or NI?
- Over the past 10-year, ATO delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.95% versus NI at 9.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Atmos Energy P/E ratioNiSource P/E ratioAtmos Energy dividend yieldNiSource dividend yieldAtmos Energy ROENiSource ROEAtmos Energy operating marginNiSource operating marginAtmos Energy revenue growthNiSource revenue growthAtmos Energy free cash flowNiSource free cash flow
Atmos Energy & NiSource 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 June 15, 2026.