Atmos Energy (ATO) vs Northwest Natural (NWN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Northwest Natural (NWN) has outperformed Atmos Energy (ATO) over the past year, gaining 8.3% versus a loss of 8.6%. Over five years, ATO leads with a +72.8% price change compared with +0.8% for NWN. Atmos Energy is the larger company by market cap ($27.15 billion vs $2.01 billion), about 13.5 times the size.
On valuation, Northwest Natural trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 17.8x for Atmos Energy). Northwest Natural offers the higher dividend yield (4.12% vs 2.41%). Atmos Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.5% versus 8.8%.
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 | NWN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.66 | $47.80 |
| Market cap | $27.15B | $2.01B |
| 1-day change | +0.91% | +0.04% |
| YTD return | -4.16% | +2.27% |
| 1-year return | -8.59% | +8.34% |
| 5-year return | +72.75% | +0.84% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.15 | 15.88 |
| Forward P/E | 17.79 | 14.79 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.39 | $3.01 |
| Dividend yield | 2.41% | 4.12% |
| Annual dividend | $3.87 | $1.97 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.70B | $1.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.91% | +11.83% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.20B | $113.32M |
| Operating margin | 33.17% | 21.79% |
| Net margin | 25.49% | 8.79% |
| 52-week high | $192.51 | $55.99 |
| 52-week low | $154.72 | $43.64 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.54% | -14.63% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.15% | +20.08% |
| Average volume | 1.03M | 237.21K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.99M | 42.09M |
| Employees | 5,487 | 1,619 |
| 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
- Atmos Energy is about 13.5 times larger than Northwest Natural by market value ($27.15B vs $2.01B).
- NWN has outperformed ATO by 16.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Northwest Natural offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.12% vs 2.41%).
- Atmos Energy is more profitable, keeping 25.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.8 cents for Northwest Natural.
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 Northwest Natural
NWN stock →Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: NWN Gas Utility, SiEnergy, and NWN Water.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 1,619 employees
ATO vs NWN FAQ
Which is bigger, Atmos Energy or Northwest Natural?
Atmos Energy (ATO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $27.15B compared with $2.01B for Northwest Natural (NWN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ATO or NWN?
NWN returned +8.34% 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 NWN?
NWN has the lower trailing P/E at 15.9, 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 Northwest Natural?
Northwest Natural has the higher yield at 4.12%, compared with 2.41% for Atmos Energy.
Are Atmos Energy and Northwest Natural in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil/Gas Transmission industry within the Utilities sector.