ATO vs. KEP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ATO and KEP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ATO is a standard domestic listing, while KEP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Atmos Energy Corporation | Korea Electric Power Corporation |
| Country | United States | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Gas Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 27.82 billion USD | 16.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 28, 1983 | October 27, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ATO and KEP 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.51% | -1.93% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 13.44% | -1.11% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.86% | 59.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.49% | -7.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.51% | -1.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 24.45% | 77.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.74M | 1.73M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.85M | 4.35M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.09% | 36.82% |
| Beta | 0.76 | 0.28 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ATO
9.00%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 17.49%
- Q3
- 12.97%
- Median
- 9.25%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- 5.45%
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.
KEP
15.57%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.46%
- Q3
- 14.70%
- Median
- 10.64%
- Q1
- 6.99%
- Min
- 0.02%
In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Return on Equity of 15.57% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ATO
25.04%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 25.04%
- Q3
- 13.75%
- Median
- 7.65%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- 3.02%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.04% places ATO in the upper quartile for the Gas Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
KEP
6.78%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 29.56%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 11.20%
- Q1
- 7.30%
- Min
- 0.01%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Net Profit Margin of 6.78% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ATO
33.00%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 50.29%
- Q3
- 25.97%
- Median
- 13.64%
- Q1
- 7.88%
- Min
- 4.94%
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.
KEP
12.54%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 38.77%
- Q3
- 25.54%
- Median
- 18.87%
- Q1
- 14.12%
- Min
- 0.02%
KEP’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.54% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.00% | 15.57% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.35% | 2.56% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.04% | 6.78% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.00% | 12.54% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.14% | -19.73% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ATO
1.37
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.37
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.
KEP
0.46
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.23
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.13
KEP’s Current Ratio of 0.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ATO
0.67
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.41
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.54
- 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.
KEP
3.18
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.00
KEP’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
KEP
2.57
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 9.89
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.57 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.37 | 0.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.25 | 0.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 3.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.53 | 2.57 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ATO
1.94%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 9.08%
- Q3
- 5.59%
- Median
- 3.79%
- Q1
- 1.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATO’s Dividend Yield of 1.94% is consistent with its peers in the Gas Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
KEP
1.12%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.61%
- Q3
- 4.66%
- Median
- 3.55%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Yield of 1.12% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ATO
46.51%
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 132.63%
- Q3
- 88.31%
- Median
- 68.88%
- Q1
- 46.67%
- Min
- 18.85%
ATO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 46.51% is in the lower quartile for the Gas Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
KEP
6.37%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 140.33%
- Q3
- 84.46%
- Median
- 60.94%
- Q1
- 31.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
KEP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.37% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.94% | 1.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 46.51% | 6.37% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ATO
23.92
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 24.48
- Q3
- 16.64
- Median
- 11.66
- Q1
- 9.76
- Min
- 7.26
A P/E Ratio of 23.92 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.
KEP
3.60
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 34.39
- Q3
- 21.23
- Median
- 15.47
- Q1
- 10.17
- Min
- 3.08
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/E Ratio of 3.60 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ATO
5.99
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 5.65
- Q3
- 2.63
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.30
With a P/S Ratio of 5.99, 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.
KEP
0.24
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.03
- Q3
- 3.06
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, KEP’s P/S Ratio of 0.24 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ATO
1.83
Gas Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.57
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.42
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.
KEP
0.59
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.86
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.27
KEP’s P/B Ratio of 0.59 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | KEP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.92 | 3.60 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.99 | 0.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.83 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 332.57 | 4.73 |