WallStSmart

Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)vsSpire Inc (SR)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Atmos Energy Corporation generates 84% more annual revenue ($4.92B vs $2.67B). ATO leads profitability with a 28.5% profit margin vs 20.6%. ATO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.02. SR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

ATO

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 8.0Value: 5.0Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.10

SR

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.57

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ATO4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Operating MarginProfitability
37.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.2%

Profit MarginProfitability
28.5%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
1.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.3% YoY

SR4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
1138.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 1138.0% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
20.6%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
19.2%8/10

19.2% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

ATO4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.024/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.8%4/10

4.8% revenue growth

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-399.43M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

SR4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.464/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-91.20M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.572/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.031/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ATO

The strongest argument for ATO centers on Operating Margin, Profit Margin, Price/Book. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.5% and operating margin at 37.2%.

Bull Case : SR

The strongest argument for SR centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.6% and operating margin at 7.1%. Revenue growth of 19.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ATO

The primary concerns for ATO are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : SR

The primary concerns for SR are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.03 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ATO profiles as a value stock while SR is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

ATO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.59 — expect wider price swings.

SR is growing revenue faster at 19.2% — sustainability is the question.

SR generates stronger free cash flow (-91M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SR scores higher overall (68/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 20.6% margins and 19.2% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Atmos Energy Corporation

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the United States' largest natural-gas-only distributors.

Spire Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA

Spire Inc. engages in the purchase, retail distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and other end-users of natural gas in the United States. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

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