Is ATO or NRG cheaper?

On trailing earnings, ATO is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.92 P/E and NRG at 158.89.

Which has grown faster, ATO or NRG?

Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.

Does ATO or NRG pay a bigger dividend?

ATO yields 2.27% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is ATO or NRG more profitable?

ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus NRG at 0.74%.

Which has been the better investment, ATO or NRG?

Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.98% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) vs NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)

ATO leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Atmos Energy Corporation and NRG Energy, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

ATO

Atmos Energy Corporation

Total return — ATO vs NRG

growth of $100 · last 23y

ATO +587.0%NRG +1302.5%NRG compounded faster

ATO NRG

ATO vs NRG: by the numbers

•NRG is the larger company ($28.50B vs $28.39B market cap).
•ATO trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.92 vs 158.89 P/E).
•ATO converts more revenue to profit (27.58% vs 0.74% net margin).
•NRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.42% vs 8.80% CAGR).
•ATO pays the higher dividend yield (2.27% vs 1.35%).

Which is better, ATO or NRG?

Metric tally: ATO 10 · NRG 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueATO(lower P/E)

GrowthNRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeATO(higher dividend yield)

QualityNRG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	ATO	NRG
P/E ratio	20.92●	158.89
Forward P/E	18.99	—
P/S ratio	5.85	0.87●
P/B ratio	1.91●	5.76
PEG ratio	2.18●	10.97
EV / EBITDA	14.74●	19.90

Profitability

Metric	ATO	NRG
Gross margin	51.43%●	17.07%
Operating margin	35.87%●	3.00%
Net margin	27.58%●	0.74%
ROE	9.03%●	4.90%
ROIC	4.58%	7.00%●

Dividends

Metric	ATO	NRG
Dividend yield	2.27%●	1.35%
Payout ratio	51.33%	44.74%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	ATO	NRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.80%	16.42%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	9.05%	14.48%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	19.32%●	-13.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	14.49%	33.27%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, ATO or NRG?: It depends on your goal. value: ATO (lower P/E); growth: NRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ATO (higher dividend yield); quality: NRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ATO leads 10 to 5.
Is ATO or NRG cheaper?: On trailing earnings, ATO is cheaper: ATO trades at a 20.92 P/E and NRG at 158.89.
Which has grown faster, ATO or NRG?: Over the past five years, NRG grew revenue faster — ATO at a 8.80% CAGR versus NRG at 16.42%.
Does ATO or NRG pay a bigger dividend?: ATO yields 2.27% and NRG yields 1.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ATO or NRG more profitable?: ATO runs the higher net margin — ATO at 27.58% versus NRG at 0.74%.
Which has been the better investment, ATO or NRG?: Over the past 10-year, NRG delivered the higher annualized total return — ATO at 10.98% versus NRG at 27.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full ATO analysis Full NRG analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Atmos Energy & NRG Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks 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 20, 2026.