BofA and Barclays Update Views on Atmos Energy (ATO) After Estimate Revisions

Group 1 - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is recognized as one of the Dividend Growth Stocks: 25 Aristocrats [1] - BofA has lowered its price recommendation for Atmos Energy to $177 from $185, maintaining a Neutral rating, while Barclays has increased its price target to $167 from $165, keeping an Equal Weight rating [2] - The utility business model of Atmos Energy provides a high level of visibility and consistency in annual earnings due to regulatory barriers that limit new competition [3] Group 2 - Atmos Energy benefits from a steady operating model and a strong balance sheet, which supports a lower cost of capital for funding growth investments and selective acquisitions [4] - The company has demonstrated resilience during economic downturns, continuing to grow its earnings per share during the 2008 and 2009 financial crisis [4] - Atmos Energy operates as a natural gas-only distributor, serving over 3.3 million customers across more than 1,400 communities in eight states, primarily in the southern US [5]