February 22, 2024
Top 10 Stock Atmos Energy Strong Buy Recommendation



How to read the ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:

Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Snapshot: Atmos Energy – Top 10 Stock in S&P 500 Index


atmosenergy.com


Atmos Energy is listed as a top 10 stock on February 22, 2024 in the market index S&P 500 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 94 (top 94% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Atmos Energy on February 22, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country USA
Industry Gas Utilities
Index S&P 500
Size class X-Large
Latest Research


Top 10 Stocks ≠ most popular stocks

When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).

For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).


360° View: Obermatt 360° View Atmos Energy Strong Buy

360 METRICS February 22, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 94 (better than 94% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Atmos Energy are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Atmos Energy. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 99, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 99% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 96 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 96% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 74, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 74% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 10, meaning that the share price of Atmos Energy is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 90% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 94, Atmos Energy is better positioned than 94% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 99), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 96), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 74), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of Atmos Energy compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (99% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (1%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Atmos Energy positive

SENTIMENT METRICS February 22, 2024
ANALYST OPINION
ANALYST OPINION
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 74 (better than 74% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Atmos Energy is above average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Atmos Energy. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 39 (worse than 61% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to warn against investing in the stock of the company. But they are changing their opinions! Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 89, which means that stock research experts are more positive in their investment recommendations in the company. In other words, they are getting more optimistic of stock investments in Atmos Energy. More encouragingly, the Professional Investors rank is 82, which means that professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 82% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. But Market Pulse is on the lower side with a rank of 27, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the negative side when discussing this company (more negative news than for 73% of competitors). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 74 (more positive than 74% compared with investment alternatives), Atmos Energy has a reputation among professional investors that is above-average compared with that of its competitors. The sentiment signals are mixed for Atmos Energy. While analysts and the news channels are negative, there is a change in what analysts think. Above-average institutional investors in this company support them. Sentiment signals remain mixed with analysts and news channels pessimistic, though improving, and professional investors above average. ...read more



Value Strategy: Atmos Energy Stock Price Value low

VALUE METRICS February 22, 2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 10 (worse than 90% compared with alternatives), Atmos Energy shares are significantly more expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators where three out of four are below average for Atmos Energy. Only the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) indicates good stock value with a Price-to-Book Rank of 50, which means that the stock price is lower compared with invested capital than for 50% of comparable investments. All other value indicators are below the market median. Price-to-Sales is 3 which means the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 97% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Atmos Energy's revenue levels. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 50 and for the dividend yields rank which is lower than for 88% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive as regards to with the company's expected dividend payouts. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 10, is a sell recommendation based on Atmos Energy's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Why are market participants paying such a high price for Atmos Energy, where three out of four value indicators are below par? One reason could be that the company is well financed, indicated by the high book capital level, and has a promising future that is not yet visible in reported revenues and profits. That would also explain the low dividend yield because the company needs the cash to invest in its future. If investors can verify a picture in this sense, the stock may still be a good investment, even though current company-reported financials don't fully explain current stock prices. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Atmos Energy Growth Momentum high

GROWTH METRICS February 22, 2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 99 (better than 99% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Atmos Energy shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all four indicators above average for Atmos Energy. Sales Growth has a value of 86, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 86% of its competitors. The same is valid for Profit Growth with a value of 86 and for Capital Growth with 54. In addition, Stock Returns had an above-average rank value of 87, which means they have been higher than 87% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 99, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Since all Growth Ranks are positive, Atmos Energy exhibits above-average growth momentum. This could be due to a uniquely strong market position, proprietary technology, or an extensive corporate acquisition strategy. Growth investors will find this an attractive investment opportunity, unless they expect that the current phase is transitory and will deteriorate in the future. The current performance could also be a temporary recovery from a very low point, such as a turn-around situation. In the case of a turn-around, the current performance may or may not be followed by a continuing positive development. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Atmos Energy Debt Financing Safety very solid

SAFETY METRICS February 22, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 96 (better than 96% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company Atmos Energy has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Atmos Energy is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, where all three are above average for Atmos Energy. Leverage is at 91, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 91% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 87, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 87% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 94, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 94% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 96 (better than 96% compared with alternatives), Atmos Energy has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: Atmos Energy Top Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE February 22, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with investment alternatives), Atmos Energy (Gas Utilities, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Atmos Energy are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 10 (worse than 90% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 99) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 96, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 91, is a strong buy recommendation based on Atmos Energy's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Atmos Energy exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 10), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 99). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 96) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). ...read more

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