Written on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 4:02pm
By Chip Brian
3/19/2010-Moody's Investors Service raised its outlook on its Baa2 rating on Atmos Energy Corp. (NYSE:ATO) to positive from stable, citing the natural-gas distributor's ongoing round of rate increases.
A series of rate increases has contributed to a steady improvement in the company's credit metrics over the past few years, Moody's said.
Last year, Atmos approved $54 million in annual rate increases.
The rating could earn a one-notch upgrade over the next 12 to 18 months, Moody's said, if the company obtains the level of rate relief that it expects and maintains sufficient liquidity capacity in renewing the credit facilities that expire this year.
Keywords: atmos Energy Moody's outlook
Ticker(s): ATO
