Core Insights - Dividend aristocrat stocks are essential for investors aiming for stability and long-term wealth creation, as they have consistently increased dividends for at least 25 years, showcasing financial discipline and commitment to shareholders [1][2] Dividend Aristocrats Overview - Dividend aristocrats serve as a hedge against economic uncertainty, providing downside protection and consistent payout increases, making them suitable anchors in diversified portfolios [2] - Five highlighted dividend aristocrats for 2026 include Atmos Energy Corporation, Medtronic plc, PepsiCo, Inc., Caterpillar Inc., and S&P Global Inc., all of which exhibit robust dividend growth and steady returns [3][8] Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) - ATO has raised its annual dividend for 42 consecutive years, with a current quarterly dividend of $1 per share and an annual dividend yield of 2.38% [3][4] - The new dividend for fiscal 2026 is $4 per share, reflecting a nearly 15% increase from fiscal 2025 [4] Medtronic plc (MDT) - MDT has increased its dividend for 48 consecutive years, with a current quarterly dividend of 71 cents and an annual dividend yield of 2.84% [5][6] - The company is expanding its global presence, particularly in the Cardiovascular business, despite facing near-term supply and tariff-related challenges [6] PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) - PEP has raised its annualized dividend by 5% in 2025, reaching $5.69 per share, marking its 53rd consecutive annual dividend increase [7][9] - The company plans to return $8.6 billion to shareholders in 2025, including $7.6 billion in dividends and $1 billion in buybacks, with an annual dividend yield of 3.78% [9] Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) - CAT has a long history of dividend payments, having raised dividends for 32 consecutive years, with a recent quarterly dividend hike of 7% to $1.51 per share [10][11] - The company returned approximately $1.1 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases in Q3 2025, with an annual dividend yield of 1.01% [11] S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) - SPGI has increased its dividend annually for over 50 years, with a current quarterly dividend of 96 cents and an annualized dividend of $3.84 per share [12][13] - The company reported a strong adjusted operating profit margin of 52.1% and generated free cash flow of $1.4 billion in the last quarter [14]

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – December 15, 2025 – Today, Zacks Equity Research Equity areAtmos Energy Corp. (ATO) , Brookfield Infrastructure Corp. (BIPC) and Spire Inc. (SR) .Industry: Utility - GasLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2803777/3-gas-distribution-stocks-to-buy-from-a-challenging-industryNatural gas distribution companies offer services to transport natural gas from the region of production to millions of consumers across the United States. The utilities under the Zacks Utility Gas Di ...

Natural gas distribution companies offer services to transport natural gas from the region of production to millions of consumers across the United States. The utilities under the Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry control miles of underground pipeline network to provide natural gas services to customers. The rising demand for clean-burning natural gas will create more opportunities for natural gas distribution companies.Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) , with its widespread transmission and distribution ...

Core Insights - Atos and N3XT Sports have formed a strategic partnership to enhance digital transformation and growth in Saudi Arabia's sports market [1][2] - The collaboration aims to provide comprehensive digital solutions, including data transformation, smart-venue integration, and customized infrastructure development [2][6] - The partnership will leverage Atos' extensive experience in major sporting events and N3XT Sports' regional expertise to drive innovation and engagement in Saudi Arabia's sports ecosystem [3][4][6] Company Overview - Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 67,000 employees and annual revenue of around €10 billion, operating in 61 countries [9] - N3XT Sports is a specialized agency focused on strategy development and digital transformation in the sports industry, with a strong presence in Europe and the Middle East [4][8] - Both companies aim to enhance fan, athlete, and stakeholder engagement through advanced technology and operational support [2][6][9]

Core Insights - Atos has launched a joint research program titled "Forensics of Intelligent Systems" aimed at securing AI systems against manipulation, in collaboration with various research institutions and the Cyberagentur [1][5][6] Group 1: Project Overview - The research project will develop prototype methods and tools for legally sound detection of manipulations in continuously learning AI systems, including a simulation environment for testing forensic methods [4] - Existing AI models will undergo simulated attacks to identify legally usable traces, and AI algorithms will be adjusted for early detection of manipulations [4] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The initiative enhances state integrity, meets societal expectations for trustworthiness, and increases economic security in a field marked by technical uncertainties [6] - Atos positions itself as a committed partner in AI, focusing on trust, transparency, and European sovereignty through this research project [6] Group 3: Organizational Background - The Cyberagentur, founded in 2020, aims to implement innovative cybersecurity projects with high disruption potential, contributing to Germany's National Security Strategy [7] - Atos Group, with approximately 67,000 employees and annual revenue of around €10 billion, is a leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity [9]

Core Insights - Atos is committed to advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 through strategic partnerships in sports and technology, showcasing its capabilities at the World Football Summit in Riyadh [1][4] Company Overview - Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 67,000 employees and annual revenue of around €10 billion, operating in 61 countries [5] - The company specializes in cybersecurity, cloud services, and high-performance computing, positioning itself as the European leader in these areas [5] Sports Technology Leadership - Atos has over 30 years of experience in delivering innovative technology solutions for major sporting events, including its role as the Official IT Partner of UEFA National Team Football since 2022 [3] - The company has expanded its influence in South America as CONMEBOL's first Official Innovation Partner for Club Competitions, enhancing fan engagement through digital platforms [3] - Atos has a long-standing relationship with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, providing advanced IT services for events like the Paris 2024 Games [3] Commitment to Saudi Arabia - Atos is enhancing its presence in Riyadh with a dedicated Sports Technology Centre of Excellence, aiming to support the Kingdom's sports and technology initiatives [4] - The company aims to replicate its global success in the Middle East, focusing on Saudi Arabia as a key player in its transformation strategy [4] Event Participation - Atos is participating as a key panel contributor and premium exhibitor at the World Football Summit, collaborating with partners like AWS and Paragon Global Brand [2][4] - The company is actively involved in discussions on digital innovations to enhance the global football fan experience [4] Broader Sporting Engagement - Beyond football, Atos is the Official Digital Partner for Special Olympics International, providing transformative technology for various global sporting events [4] - The company has successfully managed multiple Para Sports competitions, demonstrating its capability in orchestrating complex event operations [4]

Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is included among the 14 Best US Stocks to Buy for Long Term. Mizuho Sees Atmos Energy’s (ATO) Strengths Well-Reflected in the Market On December 2, Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen boosted the price target on Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) to $180 from $170 and maintained a Neutral rating on the stock. The update came after the company’s Q4 earnings last month. Moreen appreciated the company’s fundamentals and performance in the quarter and said that the stock’s cur ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the best American stocks for long-term investment, emphasizing the shift in investor strategies towards diversification and away from traditional portfolios [1][2] Long-term Investment Trends - A significant portion of investors, approximately 60%, believe that long-term discipline is essential in today's market, with 70% expressing greater patience for investment growth compared to their initial investing experiences [2] - The trend towards dividend investing aligns with long-term strategies, as 80.9% of S&P 500 companies pay dividends, with an average yield of 1.93% among Dow Jones Industrial Average constituents [3] Methodology for Stock Selection - The article outlines a methodology for selecting US companies that provide regular dividends, focusing on those with over 9% revenue growth over five years and positive analyst sentiment, resulting in a list of 14 hedge fund-favored companies [6][7] Company Highlights - **Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)**: - Holds 32 hedge fund positions and has a 5-year revenue growth of 9.92% - Recently increased its quarterly dividend by 15%, marking 41 consecutive years of dividend growth, with capital expenditures of $3.6 billion in FY25, primarily for safety and reliability [8][10][11] - **CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF)**: - Holds 41 hedge fund positions and boasts a 5-year revenue growth of 15.96% - Focused on decarbonizing production with low-carbon ammonia, reporting a trailing twelve-month operating cash flow of $2.63 billion and free cash flow of $1.7 billion [12][13][14] - **Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG)**: - Holds 42 hedge fund positions with a remarkable 5-year revenue growth of 36.06% - Benefits from low-cost production in the Permian Basin, generating 15% higher free cash flow per share despite a 14% decline in oil prices, and is nearing its $1.5 billion net debt target [15][17][18]

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) is recognized as a high-quality dividend stock suitable for long-term investors [1] - Morgan Stanley has raised its price target for Atmos Energy to $182 from $181, maintaining an Overweight rating, while noting that utilities have underperformed compared to the broader S&P in October [2] - Atmos Energy announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.00 per share, marking its 41st consecutive year of dividend increases and 168th consecutive quarterly payout [3] Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, Atmos Energy reported capital spending of $3.6 billion, with approximately 87% allocated to safety and reliability initiatives [4] - The company has about $4.9 billion in available liquidity and $1.8 billion in financing to support ongoing operations [4] Company Overview - Atmos Energy is one of the major regulated natural gas utilities in the United States, focusing on essential services and maintaining a stable customer base that supports its steady business profile in the regulated utilities sector [5]

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) is positioned for sustained growth driven by increasing natural gas demand and an expanding customer base [1] - The company is focused on long-term investments to enhance the reliability of its natural gas pipelines while benefiting from industrial customer additions and favorable rate outcomes [1] Growth Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase by 1.8% to $8.02 [2] - Fiscal 2026 revenue is estimated at $5.81 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 23.5% [2] - ATO's long-term earnings growth rate is forecasted at 7.98%, with an average earnings surprise of 2.6% over the last four quarters [2] Dividend History - Atmos Energy has consistently increased shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $4.00 [3] - The current dividend yield stands at 2.27%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite average of 1.07% [3] Investment Focus - ATO has a five-year capital expenditure plan totaling $26 billion for fiscal 2026-2030, with $20 billion earmarked for upgrading the distribution system and $6 billion for modernizing the transmission system [4] - This investment strategy is expected to yield annual earnings growth of 6-8% during the investment period [4] Debt Position - ATO's total debt to capital ratio is 39.89%, which is more favorable than the industry average of 47.36% [5] - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio at the end of Q4 2025 was 9.6, indicating a strong ability to meet future interest obligations [5] Stock Price Performance - Over the past year, ATO's shares have appreciated by 18.7%, surpassing the industry's growth of 9.8% [6] Additional Context - ATO's fiscal 2026 revenue estimate of $5.81 billion reflects a 23.5% year-over-year growth, with a planned $26 billion in capital spending from 2026 to 2030 for system upgrades and modernization [7]