The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, Consolidated Water, NorthWestern Energy and Northwest Natural

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – October 2, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. ATO, Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. CWCO, NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. NWE and Northwest Natural Holding Co. NWN.Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:4 Utility Stocks to Buy as Consumer Confidence Continues to ShrinkAmericans aren’t confident about the economy’s health and its future as several factors continue to raise fears in their minds. A shrinking jobs market and the impact of tariffs continue to raise concern despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates last month and hinting at more rate cuts this year.Given the uncertainty, it would be wise to invest in safe-haven defensive stocks from the utility sector. These include Atmos Energy Corp., Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. and Northwest Natural Holding Co. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.These stocks are from the low-beta category (beta greater than 0 but less than 1). Hence, the recommended approach is to invest in low-beta stocks with a high dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.Consumer Confidence PlummetsConsumer confidence fell to 94.2 in September, declining 3.6 points month over month and missing the consensus estimate of a reading of 96, the Conference Board said on Tuesday. The Present Situation Index, a gauge of the consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, dropped 7 points to 125.4.The short-term expectations for income, business conditions and employment also declined 1.3 points in September to 74.8. Any reading below the threshold of 80 indicates a higher risk of the economy slipping into a recession.Growing concerns over a shrinking labor market have primarily been denting consumers’ confidence. Consumers’ assessment of current job availability has now declined for the ninth consecutive month.Also, high prices of goods continue to build pressure on consumer spending. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have already pushed up the prices of goods, with high inflation still remaining a concern.The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points last month to boost the economy after the jobs report painted a grim picture of the economy. The central bank also hinted at two more rate cuts of quarter basis points each this year. However, the worries have turned markets volatile once again.4 Utility Stocks with UpsideAtmos Energy Corp.Atmos Energy Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.3 million customers in more than 1,400 communities across eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy operates more than 73,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines as well as 5,700 miles of interstate pipelines.Atmos Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.8% over the last 60 days. ATO has a beta of 0.75 and a current dividend yield of 2.05%.Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., along with its subsidiaries, is involved in the development and operation of seawater desalination plants and water distribution systems in areas where naturally occurring supplies of potable water are scarce or nonexistent. CWCO also focuses on expanding operations in areas with a large proportion of tourist properties and a growing population.Consolidated Water Co. has an expected earnings growth rate of 0.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 24.4% over the last 60 days. CWCO presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Consolidated Water has a beta of 0.58 and a current dividend yield of 1.60%.NorthWestern Energy GroupNorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. is a growing, financially sound, investor-owned energy company. It has provided reliable and affordable energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. NWE got its start in small communities, providing essential service that allowed them to grow and prosper.NorthWestern has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 60 days. NWE presently has a Zacks Rank #2. NorthWestern has a beta of 0.40 and a current dividend yield of 4.54%.Northwest Natural Holding CompanyNorthwest Natural Holding Company builds and maintains natural gas distribution systems, as well as invests in natural gas pipeline projects through its subsidiaries. NWN serves residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily in the United States, Canada and Service Territory.Northwest Natural Holding Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 25.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.4% over the last 60 days. Northwest Natural Holding Company has a beta of 0.59 and a current dividend yield of 4.37%.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Zacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Free Report: Profiting from the 2nd Wave of AI ExplosionThe next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.Investors who bought shares like Nvidia at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN): Free Stock Analysis Report NorthWestern Corporation (NWE): Free Stock Analysis Report Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks