Gas meter affixed to residential home, with an incorporated rising stock chart symbolizing a positive forecast for utilities due to sector inflation. Key Points Last month’s Consumer Price Index report showed inflation for piped utility has increased 10.8% year-over-year. That bodes well for Atmos Energy, the largest natural-gas-only utility in the United States. Over the past year, the stock’s 17% gain has outperformed the S&P 500 while its dividend is on the verge of joining an exclusive club. Inter ...