Atmos Energy Corporation vs Paychex, Inc. — how do they compare? Atmos Energy Corporation trades at $178.45 (market cap $29.79B), while Paychex, Inc. trades at $109.54 (market cap $38.95B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.35%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ATO | PAYX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $29.79B | $38.95B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $192.25 | $147.99 |
52-Week Low | $154.10 | $85.57 |
Enterprise Value | $39.29B | $42.43B |
Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 4.35% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Atmos Energy (ATO) trades at $179.50, up 1.87% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and strong support near $179. The stock shows solid fundamentals with a P/E of 22.11, revenue of $4.70B in 2025, and net income margin of 27.58%. Recent news highlights its position to benefit from data center demand and regulatory support, with an upcoming Q3 earnings call on August 6, 2026.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $191.00, though risks include high capital expenditures and debt levels. Earnings growth and dividend stability provide upside, but investors should monitor execution on capex plans and interest rate impacts.
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $110.75, up 2.98% with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 beating expectations, and maintains robust profitability with 27.03% net income margin. Recent dividend payment of $1.19 and positive business momentum from AI expansion and small business hiring trends support growth outlook.
Outlook remains positive with steady revenue growth and AI-driven efficiency gains, though valuation multiples appear elevated with P/E of 22.65. Risks include competitive pressures and macroeconomic sensitivity to small business employment trends. Analyst consensus is mixed with 16.67% buy ratings but price target alignment with current levels.
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 →Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →