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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ATO	VST
Company Name	Atmos Energy Corporation	Vistra Corp.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Gas Utilities	Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers
Market Capitalization	26.66 billion USD	65.36 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 28, 1983	October 5, 2016
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	VST
5-Day Price Return	-0.02%	-4.67%
13-Week Price Return	3.82%	22.62%
26-Week Price Return	12.24%	16.46%
52-Week Price Return	28.34%	138.93%
Month-to-Date Return	6.52%	-7.50%
Year-to-Date Return	19.26%	39.92%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.06M	4.34M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.99M	5.38M
3-Month Volatility	16.01%	39.49%
Beta	0.74	1.37

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.

VST

46.24%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 30.49%
Q3: 14.63%
Median: 7.41%
Q1: 3.67%
Min: -8.17%

VST’s Return on Equity of 46.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.92%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 32.12%
Q3: 16.71%
Median: 10.67%
Q1: 5.10%
Min: -6.37%

VST’s Net Profit Margin of 14.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

22.38%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 42.59%
Q3: 29.96%
Median: 18.17%
Q1: 12.79%
Min: 4.70%

VST’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% is around the midpoint for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	VST
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.00%	46.24%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.35%	6.28%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	25.04%	14.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	33.00%	22.38%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.14%	8.71%

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.

VST

0.90

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.21
Median: 0.86
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.25

VST’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

4.00

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 3.93
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.75
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.22

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00, VST operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

5.47

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 10.03
Q3: 7.41
Median: 2.59
Q1: 1.32
Min: -1.62

VST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	VST
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.37	0.90
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.25	0.73
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.67	4.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.53	5.47

Growth

Revenue Growth

ATO vs. VST: 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. VST: 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.

VST

0.77%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 8.02%
Q3: 5.65%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: 2.47%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.77% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.95%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 125.56%
Q3: 90.24%
Median: 50.41%
Q1: 17.76%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.95% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	VST
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.02%	0.77%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	46.51%	14.95%

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.

VST

27.39

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 51.94
Q3: 27.00
Median: 10.10
Q1: 7.02
Min: 4.18

A P/E Ratio of 27.39 places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

4.09

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 6.94
Q3: 3.56
Median: 2.46
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.39

VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.09 is in the upper echelon for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

13.64

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 3.49
Q3: 1.92
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.35

At 13.64, VST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

ATO vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Gas Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ATO	VST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	23.01	27.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.76	4.09
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.83	13.64
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	319.91	42.40