WallStSmart

NiSource Inc (NI)vsSpire Inc (SR)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

NiSource Inc generates 162% more annual revenue ($6.82B vs $2.60B). NI leads profitability with a 14.1% profit margin vs 13.8%. SR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.46. SR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

NI

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 4.3Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.58

SR

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 6.5Value: 5.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.57

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

NI2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Operating MarginProfitability
34.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.8%

Price/BookValuation
2.3x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

SR4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
30.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.2%

P/E RatioValuation
16.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

EPS GrowthGrowth
31.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 31.0% YoY

Areas to Watch

NI4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.743/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
2.692/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-362.90M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.582/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

SR4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.464/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.5%4/10

4.5% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.572/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.331/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : NI

The strongest argument for NI centers on Operating Margin, Price/Book.

Bull Case : SR

The strongest argument for SR centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : NI

The primary concerns for NI are Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow. Debt-to-equity of 1.74 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : SR

The primary concerns for SR are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 2.33 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NI carries more volatility with a beta of 0.55 — expect wider price swings.

NI is growing revenue faster at 8.2% — sustainability is the question.

SR generates stronger free cash flow (218M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

SR scores higher overall (68/100 vs 60/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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.

NiSource Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA

NiSource Inc. is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. The company is based in Merrillville, Indiana.

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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