ATO vs. NGG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ATO and NGG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
NGG’s market capitalization of 70.28 billion USD is significantly greater than ATO’s 24.19 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ATO’s beta of 0.70 points to significantly higher volatility compared to NGG (beta: 0.29), suggesting ATO has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
NGG is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. ATO, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
| Symbol | ATO | NGG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Atmos Energy Corporation | National Grid plc |
| Country | US | GB |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Regulated Gas | Regulated Electric |
| CEO | John Kevin Akers | John Pettigrew FEI, FIET |
| Price | 152.28 USD | 71.69 USD |
| Market Cap | 24.19 billion USD | 70.28 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.70 | 0.29 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | December 28, 1983 | August 10, 2005 |
| ADR | No | Yes |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ATO and NGG 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ATO
9.05%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 11.45%
- Median
- 9.01%
- Q1
- 7.53%
- Min
- 6.41%
ATO’s Return on Equity of 9.05% is on par with the norm for the Regulated Gas industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
NGG
7.88%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 18.07%
- Q3
- 12.49%
- Median
- 10.00%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- 5.02%
NGG’s Return on Equity of 7.88% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
ATO
4.73%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 8.99%
- Q3
- 5.97%
- Median
- 4.43%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATO’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.73% is in line with the norm for the Regulated Gas industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
NGG
3.70%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 5.26%
- Q3
- 4.57%
- Median
- 3.97%
- Q1
- 3.33%
- Min
- 1.92%
NGG’s Return on Invested Capital of 3.70% is in line with the norm for the Regulated Electric industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
ATO
25.35%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 25.35%
- Q3
- 14.67%
- Median
- 8.48%
- Q1
- 4.66%
- Min
- -6.69%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.35% places ATO in the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NGG
15.79%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 22.24%
- Q3
- 15.98%
- Median
- 13.10%
- Q1
- 11.03%
- Min
- 3.79%
NGG’s Net Profit Margin of 15.79% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
ATO
33.30%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 45.15%
- Q3
- 28.16%
- Median
- 19.42%
- Q1
- 14.26%
- Min
- 3.90%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.30% places ATO in the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
NGG
26.31%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 31.57%
- Q3
- 25.65%
- Median
- 21.93%
- Q1
- 17.87%
- Min
- 8.99%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.31% places NGG in the upper quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NGG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.05% | 7.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.21% | 2.72% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.73% | 3.70% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.35% | 15.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.30% | 26.31% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.44% | 25.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ATO
1.33
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.69
- Min
- 0.38
ATO’s Current Ratio of 1.33 is in the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
NGG
1.35
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 1.48
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.86
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.28
NGG’s Current Ratio of 1.35 is in the upper quartile for the Regulated Electric industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ATO
0.65
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, ATO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
NGG
1.28
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.38
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.27
NGG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.28 is typical for the Regulated Electric industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ATO
8.02
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 3.07
- Median
- 2.65
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 1.22
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.02, ATO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Regulated Gas industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
NGG
5.78
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.07
- Q3
- 2.63
- Median
- 2.41
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 1.87
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.78, NGG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Regulated Electric industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NGG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.33 | 1.35 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 1.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.65 | 1.28 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.32 | 0.45 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.49 | 6.49 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.02 | 5.78 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ATO and NGG. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ATO
2.24%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 6.99%
- Q3
- 4.15%
- Median
- 4.00%
- Q1
- 2.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATO’s Dividend Yield of 2.24% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Gas industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
NGG
4.46%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 6.60%
- Q3
- 4.03%
- Median
- 3.30%
- Q1
- 3.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.46%, NGG offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ATO
46.20%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 87.89%
- Q3
- 74.00%
- Median
- 60.41%
- Q1
- 45.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 46.20% is within the typical range for the Regulated Gas industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NGG
52.69%
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 123.06%
- Q3
- 69.07%
- Median
- 62.27%
- Q1
- 52.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
NGG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.69% is within the typical range for the Regulated Electric industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NGG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.24% | 4.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 46.20% | 52.69% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ATO
21.32
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 23.74
- Q3
- 22.05
- Median
- 16.86
- Q1
- 15.06
- Min
- 10.79
ATO’s P/E Ratio of 21.32 is within the middle range for the Regulated Gas industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
NGG
17.72
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 26.46
- Q3
- 21.71
- Median
- 19.07
- Q1
- 17.74
- Min
- 12.74
In the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric industry, NGG’s P/E Ratio of 17.72 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ATO
3.14
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 3.70
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 3.17
- Q1
- 2.55
- Min
- 2.21
ATO’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.14 is within the middle range of its peers in the Regulated Gas industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
NGG
2.43
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 3.10
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 2.34
- Min
- 1.46
NGG’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.43 is within the middle range of its peers in the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ATO
5.39
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 3.36
- Q3
- 2.16
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.32
With a P/S Ratio of 5.39, ATO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Regulated Gas industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
NGG
2.79
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 3.88
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 2.68
- Q1
- 1.96
- Min
- 0.27
NGG’s P/S Ratio of 2.79 aligns with the market consensus for the Regulated Electric industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ATO
1.84
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 1.10
ATO’s P/B Ratio of 1.84 is within the conventional range for the Regulated Gas 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.
NGG
1.36
Regulated Electric Industry
- Max
- 2.95
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.55
NGG’s P/B Ratio of 1.36 is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Electric 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 | NGG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 21.32 | 17.72 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.14 | 2.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.39 | 2.79 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 1.84 | 1.36 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -18.53 | -18.72 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 14.09 | 13.55 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 7.17 | 5.36 |