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

Updated on November 21, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ATO	SRE
Company Name	Atmos Energy Corporation	Sempra
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Gas Utilities	Multi-Utilities
Market Capitalization	28.37 billion USD	60.11 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 28, 1983	June 29, 1998
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ATO and SRE 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. SRE: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	SRE
5-Day Price Return	-1.49%	-1.42%
13-Week Price Return	5.90%	13.84%
26-Week Price Return	13.97%	23.16%
52-Week Price Return	19.53%	1.95%
Month-to-Date Return	1.98%	0.28%
Year-to-Date Return	25.74%	5.11%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.07M	4.06M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.85M	3.69M
3-Month Volatility	13.85%	19.19%
Beta	0.76	0.74

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ATO

9.00%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 17.49%
Q3: 13.89%
Median: 9.80%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: 5.86%

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.

SRE

6.87%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 20.00%
Q3: 13.72%
Median: 9.49%
Q1: 7.74%
Min: -0.57%

SRE’s Return on Equity of 6.87% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ATO

25.04%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 39.32%
Q3: 19.55%
Median: 8.06%
Q1: 5.50%
Min: -4.27%

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.

SRE

18.14%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 22.58%
Q3: 14.93%
Median: 9.68%
Q1: 4.19%
Min: -1.14%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.14% places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ATO

33.00%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 50.49%
Q3: 26.46%
Median: 15.44%
Q1: 8.01%
Min: 4.97%

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.

SRE

25.90%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 45.31%
Q3: 26.29%
Median: 19.25%
Q1: 7.66%
Min: -0.18%

SRE’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.90% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	SRE
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.00%	6.87%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.35%	2.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.04%	18.14%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	33.00%	25.90%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.14%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

1.37

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 2.47
Q3: 1.54
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.65
Min: 0.09

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.

SRE

1.59

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 1.23
Q3: 1.11
Median: 0.93
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.51

SRE’s Current Ratio of 1.59 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

0.67

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.42
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.56
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.

SRE

1.08

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 3.16
Q3: 2.03
Median: 1.56
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.58

Falling into the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, SRE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.08 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ATO

8.53

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 14.35
Q3: 11.25
Median: 8.09
Q1: 3.92
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.

SRE

3.18

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 9.98
Q3: 5.96
Median: 3.48
Q1: 2.74
Min: 0.59

SRE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	SRE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.37	1.59
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.25	1.55
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.67	1.08
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.53	3.18

Growth

Revenue Growth

ATO vs. SRE: 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. SRE: 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

1.90%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 8.87%
Q3: 5.84%
Median: 3.77%
Q1: 1.77%
Min: 0.00%

ATO’s Dividend Yield of 1.90% is consistent with its peers in the Gas Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SRE

2.69%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 6.29%
Q3: 4.88%
Median: 3.66%
Q1: 2.95%
Min: 1.67%

SRE’s Dividend Yield of 2.69% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ATO

46.51%

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 115.89%
Q3: 88.31%
Median: 62.24%
Q1: 42.71%
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.

SRE

74.83%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 110.63%
Q3: 96.69%
Median: 74.83%
Q1: 57.12%
Min: 31.93%

SRE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 74.83% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	SRE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.90%	2.69%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	46.51%	74.83%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ATO

24.49

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 24.84
Q3: 17.03
Median: 12.72
Q1: 9.60
Min: 7.51

A P/E Ratio of 24.49 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.

SRE

27.79

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 29.37
Q3: 20.20
Median: 17.94
Q1: 10.63
Min: 5.90

A P/E Ratio of 27.79 places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ATO

6.13

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 5.70
Q3: 2.70
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.30

With a P/S Ratio of 6.13, 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.

SRE

5.04

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 3.47
Median: 2.06
Q1: 0.49
Min: 0.28

SRE’s P/S Ratio of 5.04 is in the upper echelon for the Multi-Utilities 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ATO

1.83

Gas Utilities Industry

Max: 2.70
Q3: 1.88
Median: 1.44
Q1: 1.02
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.

SRE

1.88

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.71
Q3: 2.22
Median: 1.53
Q1: 1.27
Min: 0.88

SRE’s P/B Ratio of 1.88 is within the conventional range for the Multi-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. SRE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	SRE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	24.49	27.79
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.13	5.04
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.83	1.88
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	340.47	372.96