Atmos Energy (US:ATO) Yahoo Finance·2026-01-07 20:52Group 1 - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026, indicating strong potential for dividend growth [1] - Morgan Stanley downgraded Atmos Energy from Overweight to Equal Weight and reduced its price target from $182 to $172, reflecting a cautious outlook for utility stocks in 2026 due to political and regulatory risks [2] - Atmos Energy has a forward dividend yield of approximately 2.3%, with a historical annualized growth rate of over 8% for its quarterly dividend over the past decade, supported by management's guidance for 6%-8% earnings growth [3][4] Group 2 - The company is based in Dallas and distributes natural gas to customers across the United States, maintaining a consistent long-term dividend growth record typical of utility companies [4] - While Atmos Energy is seen as a viable investment, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [5]