ATO vs. NJR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ATO and NJR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ATO’s market capitalization of 24.19 billion USD is substantially larger than NJR’s 4.55 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 0.70 for ATO and 0.64 for NJR, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ATO | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Atmos Energy Corporation | New Jersey Resources Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Regulated Gas | Regulated Gas |
| CEO | John Kevin Akers | Stephen D. Westhoven |
| Price | 152.28 USD | 45.38 USD |
| Market Cap | 24.19 billion USD | 4.55 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.70 | 0.64 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | December 28, 1983 | March 17, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ATO and NJR 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.
NJR
18.18%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 11.45%
- Q3
- 11.45%
- Median
- 9.01%
- Q1
- 7.53%
- Min
- 6.41%
NJR’s Return on Equity of 18.18% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Regulated Gas industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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.
NJR
6.96%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 8.99%
- Q3
- 5.97%
- Median
- 4.43%
- Q1
- 0.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
In the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, NJR’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.96% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
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.
NJR
20.03%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 25.35%
- Q3
- 14.67%
- Median
- 8.48%
- Q1
- 4.66%
- Min
- -6.69%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.03% places NJR in the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
NJR
29.99%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 45.15%
- Q3
- 28.16%
- Median
- 19.42%
- Q1
- 14.26%
- Min
- 3.90%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.99% places NJR 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.05% | 18.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.21% | 5.71% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.73% | 6.96% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.35% | 20.03% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.30% | 29.99% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.44% | 40.12% |
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.
NJR
0.93
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.15
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.69
- Min
- 0.38
NJR’s Current Ratio of 0.93 aligns with the median group of the Regulated Gas industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector 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.
NJR
1.38
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.02
NJR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.38 is typical for the Regulated Gas 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.
NJR
4.65
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 3.07
- Median
- 2.65
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 1.22
NJR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.65 is in the upper quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.33 | 0.93 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.65 | 1.38 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.32 | 0.47 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 3.49 | 3.91 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.02 | 4.65 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ATO and NJR. 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.
NJR
3.97%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 6.99%
- Q3
- 4.15%
- Median
- 4.00%
- Q1
- 2.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
NJR’s Dividend Yield of 3.97% is consistent with its peers in the Regulated Gas industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
NJR
41.59%
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 87.89%
- Q3
- 74.00%
- Median
- 60.41%
- Q1
- 45.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
NJR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 41.59% is in the lower quartile for the Regulated Gas industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.24% | 3.97% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 46.20% | 41.59% |
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.
NJR
10.96
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 23.74
- Q3
- 22.05
- Median
- 16.86
- Q1
- 15.06
- Min
- 10.79
In the lower quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, NJR’s P/E Ratio of 10.96 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.
NJR
2.24
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 3.70
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 3.17
- Q1
- 2.55
- Min
- 2.21
In the lower quartile for the Regulated Gas industry, NJR’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.24 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
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.
NJR
2.20
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 3.36
- Q3
- 2.16
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 1.06
- Min
- 0.32
NJR’s P/S Ratio of 2.20 is in the upper echelon for the Regulated Gas industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
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.
NJR
1.84
Regulated Gas Industry
- Max
- 2.11
- Q3
- 1.88
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 1.10
NJR’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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ATO | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 21.32 | 10.96 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.14 | 2.24 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.39 | 2.20 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 1.84 | 1.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -18.53 | -45.99 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 14.09 | 9.25 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 7.17 | 3.80 |