ATO vs NEE: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Nov 5, 2026, ATO and NEE are closely matched. NEE offers the higher yield at 2.82%, ATO has the higher dividend-safety score, and NEE looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price).
Key facts: ATO vs NEE
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.82%, versus 2.27% for Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO).
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SmarterDividends grades ATO's dividend safety A (95/100) and NEE's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Nov 5, 2026, ATO has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years and NEE for 30.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ATO pays out 46% of its earnings as dividends and NEE pays out 44%.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ATO's fair-value estimate is 20% below its share price and NEE's fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price, so NEE looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ATO vs NEE: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ato-vs-nee
| Metric | ATO | NEE |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.27% | 2.82% |
| Annual dividend | $4.00 | $2.49 |
| Payout ratio | 46% | 44% |
| Years of growth | 36 yr | 30 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 9.0% | 10.1% |
| 5-yr total return | 91% | -4% |
| Dividend safety score | 95 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $141.90 | $94.96 |
| Upside to fair value | -20% | +8% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $29.9B | $184.7B |
| P/E ratio | 21.1 | 15.9 |
Higher yield
NEE
2.82%
Safer dividend
ATO
Grade A
Faster growth
NEE
10.1%
Better value
NEE
+8% upside
ATO vs NEE — FAQ
Is ATO or NEE a better dividend stock?
ATO and NEE are closely matched. NEE has the higher yield; ATO scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, ATO or NEE?
NEE has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.82%, versus 2.27% for ATO.
Is ATO or NEE safer?
ATO has the higher dividend-safety score (95/100 vs 90/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is ATO or NEE better value right now?
As of Nov 5, 2026, NEE looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price (fairly valued). For ATO, its fair-value estimate is 20% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.