Atmos Energy (ATO) vs Spire (SR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Spire (SR) has outperformed Atmos Energy (ATO) over the past year, losing 6.3% versus a loss of 9.0%. Over five years, ATO leads with a +71.2% price change compared with +21.0% for SR. Atmos Energy is the larger company by market cap ($26.90 billion vs $4.60 billion), about 5.8 times the size.
On valuation, Spire trades at a lower forward P/E (14.2x vs 17.6x for Atmos Energy). Spire offers the higher dividend yield (4.19% vs 2.43%). Atmos Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.5% versus 11.0%.
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 | SR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $159.21 | $77.82 |
| Market cap | $26.90B | $4.60B |
| 1-day change | -0.33% | -0.45% |
| YTD return | -5.02% | -5.90% |
| 1-year return | -8.98% | -6.26% |
| 5-year return | +71.19% | +20.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.98 | 22.56 |
| Forward P/E | 17.63 | 14.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.39 | $3.45 |
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | 4.19% |
| Annual dividend | $3.87 | $3.26 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.70B | $2.48B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.91% | -4.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.20B | $271.70M |
| Gross margin | — | 58.76% |
| Operating margin | 33.17% | 21.16% |
| Net margin | 25.49% | 10.97% |
| 52-week high | $192.51 | $95.31 |
| 52-week low | $154.72 | $74.84 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.30% | -18.35% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.20% | +17.45% |
| Average volume | 1.01M | 482.85K |
| Shares outstanding | 168.99M | 59.11M |
| Employees | 5,487 | 3,497 |
| 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 5.8 times larger than Spire by market value ($26.90B vs $4.60B).
- Spire offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.19% vs 2.43%).
- Atmos Energy is more profitable, keeping 25.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 11.0 cents for Spire.
- Atmos Energy grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+12.91% vs -4.50%).
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 Spire
SR stock →Spire Inc., together with its subsidiaries, 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 operates through three segments: Gas Utility, Gas Marketing, and Midstream.
Utilities · Oil/Gas Transmission · 3,497 employees
ATO vs SR FAQ
Which is bigger, Atmos Energy or Spire?
Atmos Energy (ATO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $26.90B compared with $4.60B for Spire (SR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ATO or SR?
SR returned -6.26% 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 SR?
ATO has the lower trailing P/E at 19.0, versus 22.6 for SR. 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 Spire?
Spire has the higher yield at 4.19%, compared with 2.43% for Atmos Energy.
Are Atmos Energy and Spire in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil/Gas Transmission industry within the Utilities sector.