ATO vs. AWK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ATO and AWK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ATO	AWK
Company Name	Atmos Energy Corporation	American Water Works Company, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Gas Utilities	Water Utilities
Market Capitalization	27.00 billion USD	28.52 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 28, 1983	April 23, 2008
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ATO and AWK by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ATO vs. AWK: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	AWK
5-Day Price Return	2.55%	2.48%
13-Week Price Return	7.17%	1.90%
26-Week Price Return	13.61%	14.96%
52-Week Price Return	29.80%	3.86%
Month-to-Date Return	7.88%	4.25%
Year-to-Date Return	20.78%	17.44%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.83M	1.13M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.98M	1.31M
3-Month Volatility	15.81%	19.45%
Beta	0.74	0.72

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ATO

9.00%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 18.18%
Q3: 12.37%
Median: 9.24%
Q1: 6.51%
Min: 1.38%

ATO’s Return on Equity of 9.00% is on par with the norm for the Gas Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AWK

10.34%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

AWK’s Return on Equity of 10.34% is on par with the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ATO

25.04%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 14.23%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 6.30%
Q1: 3.98%
Min: 1.91%

ATO’s Net Profit Margin of 25.04% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Gas Utilities industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

AWK

21.91%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

AWK’s Net Profit Margin of 21.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Water Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ATO

33.00%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 48.27%
Q3: 23.40%
Median: 8.99%
Q1: 6.80%
Min: -2.18%

An Operating Profit Margin of 33.00% places ATO in the upper quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AWK

36.48%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

AWK’s Operating Profit Margin of 36.48% is around the midpoint for the Water Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	AWK
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.00%	10.34%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.35%	3.29%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.04%	21.91%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	33.00%	36.48%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.14%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

1.37

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 2.54
Q3: 1.53
Median: 0.95
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.43

ATO’s Current Ratio of 1.37 aligns with the median group of the Gas Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AWK

0.35

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

AWK’s Current Ratio of 0.35 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

0.67

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 2.17
Q3: 1.39
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.58
Min: 0.13

ATO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Gas Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AWK

1.40

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.40 is typical for the Water Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ATO

8.53

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 14.35
Q3: 11.25
Median: 8.09
Q1: 3.86
Min: 1.26

ATO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Gas Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AWK

4.17

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

AWK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.17 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Water Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	AWK
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.37	0.35
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.25	0.32
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.67	1.40
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.53	4.17

Growth

Revenue Growth

ATO vs. AWK: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ATO vs. AWK: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ATO

2.02%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 11.34%
Q3: 6.37%
Median: 3.90%
Q1: 1.99%
Min: 0.00%

ATO’s Dividend Yield of 2.02% is consistent with its peers in the Gas Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

AWK

2.06%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

AWK’s Dividend Yield of 2.06% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ATO

46.51%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 200.45%
Q3: 112.45%
Median: 75.14%
Q1: 45.50%
Min: 18.85%

ATO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 46.51% is within the typical range for the Gas Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

AWK

56.23%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

AWK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.23% is in the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	AWK
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.02%	2.06%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	46.51%	56.23%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ATO

23.01

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 25.10
Q3: 19.98
Median: 12.83
Q1: 10.31
Min: 7.43

A P/E Ratio of 23.01 places ATO in the upper quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

AWK

27.30

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

AWK’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 is within the middle range for the Water Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ATO

5.76

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 5.56
Q3: 2.60
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.33

With a P/S Ratio of 5.76, ATO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Gas Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AWK

5.98

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

With a P/S Ratio of 5.98, AWK trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Water Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

1.83

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.96
Median: 1.31
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.36

ATO’s P/B Ratio of 1.83 is within the conventional range for the Gas Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AWK

2.54

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

AWK’s P/B Ratio of 2.54 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ATO vs. AWK: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Water Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	AWK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	23.01	27.30
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.76	5.98
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.83	2.54
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	319.91	4,224.17