Mizuho Maintains Neutral Rating on Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO), Raises PT to $170

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) is recognized as one of the best stocks for long-term investment due to its consistent revenue and dividend growth [1] - Mizuho has maintained a Neutral rating on Atmos Energy and raised its price target from $164 to $170, reflecting strong investor confidence and a year-to-date gain of 22.30% [2] - The company has achieved a gross profit margin of 57.95% and a revenue growth of 12.9% over the last 12 months, reaching an all-time high stock price of $169.02 [3] Company Overview - Atmos Energy operates pipelines, storage facilities, and regulated natural gas distribution across eight U.S. states, positioning itself as a strong investment option [4] Financial Performance - The company is expected to experience a 13–15% annual rate base growth, despite Mizuho's growth guidance of 6–8% [3] - Atmos Energy has a track record of 32 consecutive years of dividend increases, indicating strong fundamentals [3]