Atmos Energy (ATO) vs Cheniere Energy (LNG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cheniere Energy (LNG) has outperformed Atmos Energy (ATO) over the past year, gaining 15.7% versus a loss of 9.0%. Over five years, LNG leads with a +146.4% price change compared with +71.2% for ATO. Cheniere Energy is the larger company by market cap ($57.31 billion vs $26.82 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Cheniere Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 17.6x for Atmos Energy). Atmos Energy offers the higher dividend yield (2.44% vs 0.80%). Cheniere Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.7% versus 25.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ATO | LNG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.74 | $277.50 |
| Market cap | $26.82B | $57.31B |
| 1-day change | -0.30% | +1.95% |
| YTD return | -5.02% | +40.03% |
| 1-year return | -8.98% | +15.66% |
| 5-year return | +71.19% | +146.36% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.92 | 21.01 |
| Forward P/E | 17.58 | 13.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.39 | $13.21 |
| Dividend yield | 2.44% | 0.80% |
| Annual dividend | $3.87 | $2.22 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.70B | $19.98B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.91% | +27.21% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.20B | $5.33B |
| Gross margin | — | 64.21% |
| Operating margin | 33.17% | 45.61% |
| Net margin | 25.49% | 26.68% |
| 52-week high | $192.51 | $300.89 |
| 52-week low | $154.72 | $186.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.54% | -7.77% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.55% | +11.92% |
| Average volume | 1.02M | 1.86M |
| Shares outstanding | 168.99M | 206.53M |
| Employees | 5,487 | 1,717 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Oil/Gas Transmission | Oil/Gas Transmission |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Cheniere Energy is about 2.1 times larger than Atmos Energy by market value ($57.31B vs $26.82B).
- LNG has outperformed ATO by 24.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Atmos Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.44% vs 0.80%).
- Cheniere Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+27.21% vs +12.91%).
About Atmos Energy
ATO stock →Atmos Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated natural gas distribution, and pipeline and storage businesses in the United States. It operates through two segments, Distribution, and Pipeline and Storage.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 5,487 employees
About Cheniere Energy
LNG stock →Cheniere Energy, Inc., an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. The company owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 1,717 employees
ATO vs LNG FAQ
Which is bigger, Atmos Energy or Cheniere Energy?
Cheniere Energy (LNG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $57.31B compared with $26.82B for Atmos Energy (ATO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ATO or LNG?
LNG returned +15.66% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.98% for ATO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ATO or LNG?
ATO has the lower trailing P/E at 18.9, versus 21.0 for LNG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Atmos Energy or Cheniere Energy?
Atmos Energy has the higher yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.80% for Cheniere Energy.
Are Atmos Energy and Cheniere Energy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil/Gas Transmission industry within the Utilities sector.