Atmos Energy (ATO) vs NewJersey Resources (NJR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
NewJersey Resources (NJR) has outperformed Atmos Energy (ATO) over the past year, gaining 9.7% versus a loss of 8.6%. Over five years, ATO leads with a +72.8% price change compared with +35.3% for NJR. Atmos Energy is the larger company by market cap ($27.15 billion vs $5.18 billion), about 5.2 times the size.
On valuation, NewJersey Resources trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 17.8x for Atmos Energy). NewJersey Resources offers the higher dividend yield (3.72% vs 2.41%). Atmos Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.5% versus 24.8%.
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 | NJR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.66 | $51.01 |
| Market cap | $27.15B | $5.18B |
| 1-day change | +0.91% | +0.10% |
| YTD return | -4.16% | +10.60% |
| 1-year return | -8.59% | +9.75% |
| 5-year return | +72.75% | +35.31% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.15 | 14.13 |
| Forward P/E | 17.79 | 14.79 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.39 | $3.61 |
| Dividend yield | 2.41% | 3.72% |
| Annual dividend | $3.87 | $1.90 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.70B | $1.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.91% | +9.87% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.20B | $335.63M |
| Operating margin | 33.17% | 37.66% |
| Net margin | 25.49% | 24.84% |
| 52-week high | $192.51 | $60.86 |
| 52-week low | $154.72 | $43.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.54% | -16.18% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.15% | +17.35% |
| Average volume | 1.03M | 664.96K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.99M | 101.47M |
| Employees | 5,487 | 1,300 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Utilities - Regulated Gas | 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
- Atmos Energy is about 5.2 times larger than NewJersey Resources by market value ($27.15B vs $5.18B).
- NJR has outperformed ATO by 18.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Atmos Energy trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.1x vs 14.1x trailing P/E).
- NewJersey Resources offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.72% vs 2.41%).
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 · Utilities - Regulated Gas · 5,487 employees
About NewJersey Resources
NJR stock →New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, distributes natural gas. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 1,300 employees
ATO vs NJR FAQ
Which is bigger, Atmos Energy or NewJersey Resources?
Atmos Energy (ATO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $27.15B compared with $5.18B for NewJersey Resources (NJR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ATO or NJR?
NJR returned +9.75% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.59% for ATO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ATO or NJR?
NJR has the lower trailing P/E at 14.1, versus 19.1 for ATO. 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 NewJersey Resources?
NewJersey Resources has the higher yield at 3.72%, compared with 2.41% for Atmos Energy.
Are Atmos Energy and NewJersey Resources in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Utilities - Regulated Gas for Atmos Energy and Oil/Gas Transmission for NewJersey Resources.