Industry Overview - The natural gas distribution industry is experiencing rising demand due to the clean-burning nature of natural gas, which is essential for transporting gas from production regions to consumers across the U.S. [1][3] - The U.S. has a substantial natural gas reserve of 3,353 trillion cubic feet and a pipeline network of 2.5 million miles [4]. Key Trends - The shale revolution has significantly increased natural gas production, leading to higher demand from various customer groups [3]. - The industry faces challenges from aging infrastructure, with many pipelines nearing the end of their effective service life, raising safety and maintenance concerns [6]. - Competition from other clean energy sources is increasing, as renewable energy projects become more affordable and reliable, potentially impacting the demand for natural gas [5]. Financial Insights - The Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry currently ranks 149 out of 243 Zacks industries, indicating weak near-term prospects, with a negative earnings outlook as earnings estimates for 2025 have decreased by 7.7% since December 31, 2024 [10][11]. - The Gas Distribution industry has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 and the Utility sector, with an 8.5% gain over the past year compared to 14.5% for the Utility sector and 16.1% for the S&P 500 [12]. Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.35X, which is lower than the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 18.77X and the sector's 15.27X [13]. Company Highlights - **Atmos Energy Corp.**: Plans to invest $3.6 billion in fiscal 2026 to enhance infrastructure and replace old pipelines, with a current dividend yield of 2.4% and long-term earnings growth projected at 7.98% [15][16]. - **Brookfield Infrastructure Corp.**: Engaged in natural gas and electricity supply, recently signed a $5 billion deal with Bloom Energy and a $20 billion partnership with Qai, with a dividend yield of 3.68% and significant earnings growth estimates [17][18]. - **Spire Inc.**: Focused on organic expansion through infrastructure investments, plans to invest approximately $809 million in fiscal 2026, with a dividend yield of 3.82% and long-term earnings growth estimated at 10.54% [19][20].

Industry Overview - Natural gas distribution companies transport natural gas from production regions to consumers across the U.S., with a significant underground pipeline network [1] - The shale revolution has increased natural gas production, leading to higher demand due to its clean-burning nature [3] - The U.S. has 3,353 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and a pipeline network of 2.5 million miles [3] - Major concerns include aging infrastructure and rising investment costs due to interest rate hikes [3] Key Trends - Increasing competition from renewable energy sources is making utility-scale projects cheaper and more reliable, posing economic risks to new pipeline investments [4] - Aging infrastructure is a challenge, with many pipelines nearing the end of their service life, leading to safety concerns and higher maintenance costs [5] - A decline in interest rates, with the Federal Reserve lowering rates by 175 basis points to a range of 3.50-3.75%, is expected to benefit capital-intensive utilities [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry ranks 149, placing it in the bottom 38% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating weak near-term prospects [7] - Earnings estimates for the industry have decreased by 7.7% since December 31, 2024 [8] - The Gas Distribution industry has gained 8.5% over the past year, underperforming the Utility sector's 14.5% and the S&P 500's 16.1% [9] Valuation - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.35X, compared to 18.77X for the S&P 500 and 15.27X for the sector [12] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA has ranged from a high of 12.41X to a low of 9.55X, with a median of 10.91X [12] Company Highlights - **Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)**: Plans to invest $3.6 billion in fiscal 2025 and 2026 to enhance infrastructure and replace old pipelines, with a current dividend yield of 2.4% and long-term earnings growth projected at 7.98% [16][17] - **Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC)**: Engaged in natural gas and electricity supply, with significant growth initiatives including a $5 billion deal with Bloom Energy and a $20 billion partnership with Qai, offering a dividend yield of 3.68% [21][22] - **Spire Inc. (SR)**: Focused on organic expansion through infrastructure investments, planning to spend $922 million in fiscal 2025 and $809 million in fiscal 2026, with a dividend yield of 3.82% and long-term earnings growth of 10.54% [25][26]

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]

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is recognized as one of the 14 best US stocks for long-term investment [1] - Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen raised the price target for Atmos Energy to $180 from $170, maintaining a Neutral rating, reflecting the company's strong fundamentals and performance [2] - In Q4 2025, Atmos Energy reported $3.6 billion in capital expenditures, with 87% allocated to safety and reliability, and announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking 41 consecutive years of dividend growth [3] Company Overview - Atmos Energy is a Texas-based natural gas distribution company serving approximately 3.4 million customers in the South [4]

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]

Core Points - CONMEBOL has announced Atos as its first Official Innovation Partner for club competitions, focusing on enhancing digital experiences for fans [1][11] - Atos will develop new website and app solutions for major CONMEBOL tournaments, including CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana [1][11] - The partnership aims to improve fan interaction and modernize the sports ecosystem in South America [3][9] Company Overview - Atos is a global technology company with over 30 years of experience in South America, specializing in digital solutions powered by Artificial Intelligence [2][10] - The company has a dedicated Sports and Major Events division and has been involved in significant global sporting events, including its role as UEFA's Official IT Partner [8][10] - Atos operates in 61 countries with approximately 67,000 employees and annual revenue of around €10 billion [10][12] Strategic Importance - The partnership with Atos reinforces CONMEBOL's commitment to innovation and modernization in football, aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of competitions [4][11] - Atos' extensive experience in technology and sports will contribute to delivering advanced digital platforms that connect millions of fans [5][9] - This collaboration is expected to elevate the standard of competitions and improve communication with South American football fans [3][4]