Atmos Energy Corporation vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? Atmos Energy Corporation trades at $169.43 (market cap $28.59B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $335.36 (market cap $75.15B). The key difference: Norfolk Southern Corporation is far larger — about 2.6× Atmos Energy Corporation's market cap, and Atmos Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.36%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ATO | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $28.59B | $75.15B |
Sector | Utilities | Technology |
52-Week High | $192.25 | $350.66 |
52-Week Low | $162.44 | $272.35 |
Enterprise Value | $38.40B | $90.70B |
Dividend Yield | 2.36% | 1.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Atmos Energy (ATO) trades at $167.92, down 1.33% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company reported Q3 2026 EPS of $1.43, beating estimates of $1.35, with revenue growth of 4.8% year-over-year. Strong profitability metrics include a 28.5% net income margin and 62.2% gross margin, while valuation ratios show a P/E of 20.2 and P/S of 5.7. Recent corporate developments include board appointments and dividend declarations of $1.00 per share.
ATO presents a mixed outlook with solid fundamentals and analyst support but faces technical headwinds. The consensus price target of $190.57 suggests 13.5% upside potential, supported by 45% buy ratings. Risks include high capital expenditures impacting cash flow and debt levels near $7.9 billion. Earnings growth and rate approvals provide catalysts, though the stock's bearish technical trend warrants caution near-term.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $332.82, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $3.52 per share, beating estimates, driven by record revenue and volume growth. Valuation ratios like P/E of 28.55 and P/S of 5.99 indicate a premium, while profitability remains solid with a net income margin of 21.02% and ROE of 16.97%. Recent news highlights merger developments with Union Pacific and institutional interest.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic due to earnings momentum and industry tailwinds, but risks include high fuel costs, merger execution uncertainties, and premium valuation. Analysts give a mixed consensus with 43.75% buy ratings and a $369.67 price target, suggesting modest upside potential from current levels amid competitive and operational headwinds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company operating one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. The company transports a diverse range of commodities, including coal, intermodal containers, and various industrial products. NSC is a critical link in the nation's supply chain, providing efficient, long-haul transportation services to and from ports and industrial centers.
Read more on NSC →