Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is included among the Dividend Growth Stocks: 25 Aristocrats.
BofA lowered its price recommendation on Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) to $177 from $185 on January 30. The company maintained a Neutral rating after updating its EPS estimates for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. A few days earlier, on Jan. 27, Barclays raised its price target to $167 from $165, while maintaining an Equal Weight rating on the stock.
Atmos Energy’s main advantage comes from the nature of the utility business itself. Natural gas service is essential and the industry is heavily regulated. Those regulatory barriers make it extremely difficult for new competitors to enter the market. For Atmos, that structure provides a high level of visibility and consistency in annual profits.
The company also benefits from a stable operating model and a strong balance sheet. That combination supports a lower cost of capital, which helps finance growth investments and selective acquisitions that increase earnings over time.
Utilities tend to hold up well during economic downturns, and Atmos has proven this in practice. During the crisis of 2008 and 2009, when many companies experienced sharp declines in profits, Atmos Energy continued to grow its earnings per share.
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) operates as the exclusive distributor of natural gas, serving more than 3.3 million customers in more than 1,400 communities in eight states, primarily in the southern US.
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