Atmos Energy Corporation vs Quest Diagnostics Inc — how do they compare? Atmos Energy Corporation trades at $169.55 (market cap $28.59B), while Quest Diagnostics Inc trades at $237.45 (market cap $26.21B). The key difference: Atmos Energy Corporation and Quest Diagnostics Inc are close in size by market cap, and Atmos Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.36%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ATO | DGX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $28.59B | $26.21B |
Sector | Utilities | Health |
52-Week High | $192.25 | $238.50 |
52-Week Low | $162.44 | $173.49 |
Enterprise Value | $38.40B | $31.97B |
Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 1.45% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Atmos Energy (ATO) trades at $169.68, up 1.05% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including a 28.5% net income margin and consistent dividend payments. Recent Q3 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $1.43 versus $1.35 expected, and the company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance. The stock shows neutral oscillators but bearish moving averages, with key support at $168.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is a Buy with a $190.57 price target, but technical indicators suggest near-term caution. Risks include high capital expenditures impacting cash flow and interest rate sensitivity. Upside potential hinges on execution of rate hikes and infrastructure investments, while downside risks involve regulatory changes and economic slowdowns.
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) trades at $237.24, down 0.16% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $3.12 and raising its full-year outlook, driven by robust testing demand. Revenue grew to $11.04B in 2025, with net income of $992M, though margins face pressure from lower-margin deals and rising costs.
The outlook is positive due to raised guidance and AI integration enhancing efficiency, but risks include debt levels and margin compression. Analysts maintain a cautious buy stance with a $249.50 price target, indicating modest upside potential from current levels amid competitive and cost challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Atmos Energy is the largest publicly traded, fully regulated, pure-play natural gas utility in the United States, serving more than 3 million customers in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. About two thirds of its earnings come from Texas, where it distributes natural gas in northern Texas and owns an intrastate gas pipeline spanning several key shale gas formations and interconnected with five storage facilities.
Read more on ATO →Quest Diagnostics is a leading independent provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services in the U.S. The company generates over 95% of its revenue through clinical testing, anatomic pathology, esoteric testing, and substance abuse testing with specimens collected at its national network of roughly 2,300 patient service centers, as well as multiple doctors offices and hospitals. The firm also runs a much smaller diagnostic solutions segment that provides clinical trials testing, risk assessment services, and information technology solutions.
Read more on DGX →