Investing in Safety from the Ground Up Atmos Energy Corporation 2017 Annual Report Atmos Energy at a Glance Delivering safe, clean and economical energy to more than 3 million homes and businesses Our Service Area Colorado-Kansas Division Denver, CO West Texas Division Lubbock, TX Atmos Energy Corporation Headquarters, Dallas, TX Kentucky/Mid-States Division Franklin, TN Waha Hub Mid-Tex Division Atmos Pipeline-Texas Division Dallas TX Carthage Hub Mississippi Division Flowood, MS Katy Hub Louisiana Division Baton Rouge, LA Natural gas distribution areas Division offices Proprietary storage Major gas delivery hubs Investment Highlights • Regulated distribution assets in eight states serving more than 3 million customers. • Projected annual capital expenditures of about $1.3 billion to $1.9 billion through fiscal 2022; over 80% spent on safety and reliability. • Earning on about 95% of annual capital expenditures within 6 months and on 99% within 12 months. • 6% to 8% forecasted earnings per share growth through fiscal 2022; attractive dividend yield. • 15 consecutive years of annual EPS growth; 34 consecutive years of annual dividend growth. ON THE COVER: Operations Supervisor Jason Guzman (left) and Operations Manager Joe Greer discuss a portion of the 8 miles of 12-inch steel main pipe replacement which will provide more natural gas for the city of Midland, Texas. Earnings Growth through Infrastructure Investments Constructive Regulatory Mechanisms Support Efficient Conversion of Rate Base Growth Opportunities into Financial Results ~$1.3 billion to $1.9 billion in annual capital investments through 2022 Constructive rate mechanisms reducing regulatory lag 6% to 8% consolidated EPS growth ) s n o i l l i b n i ( e s a B e t a R $14.0 $12.0 $10.0 $8.0 $6.0 $4.0 $2.0 $0.0 $11.0-$12.0 $6.6 $5.9 ~95% Adjusted Earnings per Share $4.75-$5.15 $3.75-$3.95 $3.601 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00 $0.00 Earning on Annual Investments Within 0–6 Months Within 7–12 Months Greater than 12 Months 2017 2018E 2022E 2016 2017 2022E Pipeline and Storage Distribution 1 Excludes $0.13 per share associated with discontinued operations Fiscal 2017 by the Numbers $396.4 million $3.73 EPS $1.80 share 210.5 percent $83.84 share Reported net income for the fiscal year was $396.4 million, compared to $350.1 million in fiscal 2016. Reported earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2017 went up 35 cents, or 10.4 percent, to $3.73, marking our 15th consecutive annual increase. Dividends paid in fiscal 2017 were $1.80 per share. Total shareholder return from fiscal 2011 to 2017 was 210.5 percent. Our stock closed at $83.84 on September 29, 2017. ATMOS ENERGY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 1 To Our Shareholders Kim R. Cocklin Executive Chairman of the Board I n fiscal 2017, Atmos Energy continued our journey to making our safe utility and intrastate pipeline even safer. We invested over $1.1 billion with about 80 percent of the capital investment dedicated to safety and reliability projects. These investments not only improved the safety of our assets but also our financial performance. 640 miles 37,000 lines 150,000 hours We replaced approximately 640 miles of aging natural gas distribution and trans- mission pipelines to make our system even safer and more reliable. We replaced more than 37,000 service lines. We conducted 150,000 hours of safety and technical training in order to continue to provide safe and reliable service. 8.1 percent $1.80 per share 210.5% return $83.84 per share Reported earnings per diluted share from continu- ing operations increased 8.1 percent, to $3.60 for fiscal 2017 marking our 15th consecutive annual increase. Net income for the fiscal year was $396 million, compared to $350 million in fiscal 2016. Dividends paid in fiscal 2017 were $1.80 per share. In November 2017, the board of directors continued our trend of consecutive annual dividend increases for the 34th consecutive year by raising the indicated rate by 7.8 percent for fiscal 2018 to $1.94 per share. Total shareholder return in fiscal 2017 was 15.2 percent. Since we launched our growth through investment strategy in Oc- tober 2011, total return to our shareholders has been 210.5%. Our stock closed at $83.84 per share on September 29, 2017. During fiscal 2017, we paid $85 million to acquire a 140-mile natural gas pipeline to serve transportation customers in the rapidly growing North Texas market. We also completed the sale of our Atmos Energy Marketing business and became the largest publicly-traded, fully regulated natural gas company on the New York Stock Exchange. Strengthening Relationships with Regulators and Customers Additionally, we have weather normalization mechanisms covering 97 percent of our customers, which help stabilize revenue fluctuations that could occur from weather which is warmer or colder than normal. The monthly natural gas utility bill is either the lowest or one of the lowest monthly bills our customers receive. Customer bills have averaged less than $60 per month since 2007. We continue to project that the average monthly bill will remain a great value for at least the next decade. Replacing aging infrastructure requires a significant capital investment and partnering closely with regulators and customers to achieve balanced regulatory constructs. We have approved mechanisms in all of our jurisdictions providing for the accelerated recovery of investments in safety. Financial Results Our distribution operations contributed $268 million, or 68% of our fiscal 2017 net income. Net income from our pipeline and storage operations was $114 million. During fiscal 2017, 2 | ATMOS ENERGY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT In fiscal 2017, Atmos Energy continued its journey to making its safe utility and intrastate pipeline even safer. We invested over $1.1 billion with about 80 percent of the capital investment dedicated to safety and reliability projects. rate relief increased our gross profit by $97 million. Additionally, we benefited from net customer growth of one percent and increased transportation margins. The increased margins supported higher levels of pipeline maintenance and other integrity activities. During the year, we completed 19 rate proceedings, which created an additional $104 million of rate adjustments during fiscal 2017. Our strong financial performance supported our ability to raise $975 million of debt and equity financing that we used to refinance maturing debt and to strengthen our financial profile. At September 30, 2017, our balance sheet had an equity-to-capital ratio of 52.6 percent, compared to 51.5 percent as of the fiscal 2016 year-end. $1.1 billion in net liquidity was on hand to meet anticipated financial needs. Outlook Our strategy is to make our system safer and invest in our existing assets rather than to acquire more utility properties. We own more than 75,000 miles of distribution and transmission pipe- lines, and have 3.1 million service lines to customers’ premises. Our comprehensive infrastructure renewal and modern- ization program allows us to replace cast iron, bare steel and early generation plastic pipe and replace or fortify older coated steel pipelines. We have replaced nearly 1,200 miles of cast iron, bare steel and early-generation plastic pipe since 2011. Our capital spending for fiscal 2018 is forecast to be between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion. We expect our annual capital expenditures through fiscal 2022 will be about $1.3 billion to $1.9 billion. Our total rate base is expected to grow from approximately $6.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2017 to between $11.0 billion and $12.0 billion by the end of fiscal 2022 at a rate of between 10 percent and 12 percent. Accordingly, we project that earnings per diluted share will increase at an annual growth rate of between 6 percent and 8 percent, with a total annual return to shareholders ranging between 8 percent to 10 percent through fiscal 2022. Investing in Safety $6 $5 $4 $3 $2 $1 Investments Drive Rate Base Growth which Drives Earnings per Share Growth 6% to 8% Annually $3.601 $4.75 - $5.15 Key Assumptions • Capital expenditures of $1.3 billion - $1.9 billion annually, financed with a blend of long-term debt and equity • Maintain existing regulatory mechanisms for infrastructure investment • Normal weather • O&M expense inflation rate of 1.5% - 2.5% annually • Approximately $3.0 billion to $3.5 billion of incremental financing through Fiscal 2022 2017 2022E 1 Excludes $0.13 per share of income from discontinued operations related to the sale of the marketing business ATMOS ENERGY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 Our Board has always made leadership development and executive succession planning one of its most salient priorities. Our guidance for earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2018 ranges between $3.75 and $3.95. Net income is forecast to be between $410 million and $440 million in fiscal 2018. Leadership Update In February, Dr. Thomas C. Meredith retired from the Company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Meredith joined the Board in 1995 and had chaired its Work Session/Annual Meeting Committee since 2010. He also served as a member of the Audit, Executive, Human Resources and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees during his tenure on the board. The Board benefited greatly from Dr. Meredith’s tremendous leadership, invaluable counsel and steady guidance for over 20 years during periods of significant change for our Company. During this fiscal year we previously communicated the retirements or departures of some of our leadership team including Senior Vice Presidents Bret Eckert, Louis Gregory and Marvin Sweetin. Each provided distinguished service to our organization over many years and we thank them again for their leadership and contributions to our ongoing success. In August the Board announced that effective October 1, 2017, Mike Haefner would be appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and that I would become Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board had planned for this succession for almost three years, initially appointing Mike as Executive Vice Management Committee Mike Haefner Kevin Akers Chris Forsythe President in January 2015 and then promoting him to Presi- dent and Chief Operating Officer on October 1, 2015. Mike joined Atmos Energy in 2008 as Senior Vice President of Human Resources after serving in leadership positions at Sabre Holdings, American Airlines and Eastman Kodak. Our Board has always made leadership development and executive succession planning one of its most salient priorities. Mike is strategic, focused, astute, competitive, motivated and extremely employee-centric. He has built a strong manage- ment team and the Board has every confidence that the Company will continue to grow and thrive under Mike’s leadership. Joining Mike as members of our management committee is an impressive group of leaders appointed by our Board who have risen through our ranks and held positions of increasing responsibility. They include: • Kevin Akers, Senior Vice President of Safety and Enterprise Services • Chris Forsythe, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer • Karen Hartsfield, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary • David Park, Senior Vice President of Utility Operations • Matt Robbins, Senior Vice President of Human Resources With this change in senior leadership, Bob Best, who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to October 1, 2010, and since as Chairman of the Board, will continue to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. We are deeply indebted to Bob for his charismatic leadership, for leading the Company’s growth from 700,000 customers to over 3,000,000 customers and for coaching and mentoring most of the senior leaders in the Company. Bob created an employee focused, high performance culture and he will continue to be an important and instrumental part of the Company. These leaders are supported by our 4,600 employees, who are committed to serving our customers exceptionally well while ensuring safety for themselves, their fellow employees and the people in the 1,400 communities we serve. For Atmos Energy, fiscal year 2017 marked another successful milepost on our journey to becoming the nation’s safest natural gas company. Karen Hartsfield David Park Matt Robbins Kim R. Cocklin Executive Chairman of the Board November 16, 2017 4 | ATMOS ENERGY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K (Mark One) Í ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 ‘ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to OR Commission file number 1-10042 Atmos Energy Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Texas and Virginia (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Three Lincoln Centre, Suite 1800 5430 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas (Address of principal executive offices) 75-1743247 (IRS employer identification no.) 75240 (Zip code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 934-9227 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Common stock, No Par Value Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes Í No ‘ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been sub- ject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Í No ‘ No Í Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes Í No ‘ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.45) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Í Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Í Accelerated filer ‘ Non-accelerated filer ‘ Smaller reporting company ‘ Emerging growth company ‘ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ‘ The aggregate market value of the common voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s No Í most recently completed second fiscal quarter, March 31, 2017, was $8,146,262,574. As of November 8, 2017, the registrant had 106,112,709 shares of common stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Glossary of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Part I Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 2. Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 6. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . Item 9. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 14. 4 14 19 19 21 21 21 23 24 42 43 101 101 103 103 104 104 104 104 Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Part IV [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS AEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atmos Energy Corporation AEH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. AEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC AOCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annual Rate Mechanism ATO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trading symbol for Atmos Energy Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange Bcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billion cubic feet COSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission DARR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas Annual Rate Review ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 FASB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial Accounting Standards Board FERC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Federal Energy Regulatory Commission GAAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GRIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program Gross Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-GAAP measure defined as operating revenues less purchased gas cost GSRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas System Reliability Surcharge KPSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky Public Service Commission LTIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mcf MDWQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maximum daily withdrawal quantity Mid-Tex Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Represents all incorporated cities other than Dallas, or approximately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thousand cubic feet 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan 80 percent of the Mid-Tex Division’s customers, with whom a settlement agreement was reached during the fiscal 2008 second quarter. MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Million cubic feet Moody’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. NGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Gas Act of 1938 NYMEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. NYSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York Stock Exchange PAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pension Account Plan PPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pension Protection Act of 2006 PRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline Replacement Program RRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Railroad Commission of Texas RRM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate Review Mechanism RSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate Stabilization Clause S&P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Standard & Poor’s Corporation SAVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steps to Advance Virginia Energy SEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United States Securities and Exchange Commission SGR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supplemental Growth Filing SIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System Integrity Rider SRF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stable Rate Filing SSIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System Safety and Integrity Rider WNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weather Normalization Adjustment 3 The terms “we,” “our,” “us”, “Atmos Energy” and the “Company” refer to Atmos Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. PART I ITEM 1. Business. Overview and Strategy Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and incorporated in Texas and Virginia, is one of the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributors based on number of customers. We deliver natural gas through regulated sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public authority and industrial customers in eight states located primarily in the South. We also operate one of the larg- est intrastate pipelines in Texas based on miles of pipe. Through December 31, 2016, we were also engaged in certain nonregulated businesses that provided natural gas management, marketing, transportation and storage services to municipalities, local gas distribution compa- nies, including certain of our natural gas distribution divisions, and industrial customers principally in the Mid- west and Southeast. Effective January 1, 2017, we sold all of the equity interests of Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (AEM) to CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (CES), a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy Inc. As a result of the sale, Atmos Energy has fully exited the nonregulated gas marketing business. Atmos Energy’s vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas services. We intend to achieve this vision by: ‰ operating our business exceptionally well ‰ investing in our people and infrastructure ‰ enhancing our culture. We believe the successful execution of this strategy has delivered excellent shareholder value. Over the last six years, regulatory mechanisms designed to minimize regulatory lag have enabled us to make significant capital investments to fortify and upgrade our distribution and transmission systems. The timely recovery of these investments has increased our rate base which has resulted in rising earnings per share during this time. Our core values include focusing on our employees and customers while conducting our business with honesty and integrity. We continue to strengthen our culture through ongoing communications with our employ- ees and enhanced employee training. Operating Segments As of September 30, 2017, we manage and review our consolidated operations through the following three reportable segments: ‰ The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states and storage assets located in Kentucky and Tennessee. ‰ The pipeline and storage segment is comprised primarily of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. ‰ The natural gas marketing segment is comprised of our discontinued natural gas marketing business. These operating segments are described in greater detail below. Distribution Segment Overview Our distribution segment is primarily comprised of the regulated natural gas distribution and related sales and storage operations in our six regulated natural gas distribution divisions, which are used to support our regu- lated natural gas distribution operations in those states. The following table summarizes key information about these divisions, presented in order of total rate base. We operate in our service areas under terms of 4 non-exclusive franchise agreements granted by the various cities and towns that we serve. At September 30, 2017, we held 1,008 franchises having terms generally ranging from five to 35 years. A significant number of our franchises expire each year, which require renewal prior to the end of their terms. Historically, we have success- fully renewed these franchises and believe that we will continue to be able to renew our franchises as they expire. Division Service Areas Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Kentucky Tennessee Virginia Louisiana Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland Mississippi Colorado Kansas Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communities Served 550 Customer Meters 1,672,581 230 270 80 110 170 181,638 147,620 24,153 359,920 311,188 270,754 118,410 135,141 Revenues in this operating segment are established by regulatory authorities in the states in which we oper- ate. These rates are intended to be sufficient to cover the costs of conducting business and to provide a reasonable return on invested capital. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution systems. Rates established by regulatory authorities often include cost adjustment mechanisms for costs that (i) are subject to significant price fluctuations compared to our other costs, (ii) represent a large component of our cost of service and (iii) are generally outside our control. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms represent a common form of cost adjustment mechanism. Pur- chased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide natural gas distribution companies a method of recovering pur- chased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case because they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in the cost natural gas. Therefore, although substantially all of our distribution operating revenues fluctuate with the cost of gas that we purchase, distribution gross profit (which is defined as operating revenues less purchased gas cost) is generally not affected by fluctuations in the cost of gas. Additionally, some jurisdictions have performance-based ratemaking adjustments to provide incentives to distribution companies to minimize purchased gas costs through improved storage management and use of finan- cial instruments to lock in gas costs. Under the performance-based ratemaking adjustments, purchased gas costs savings are shared between the utility and its customers. Our supply of natural gas is provided by a variety of suppliers, including independent producers, marketers and pipeline companies, withdrawals of gas from proprietary and contracted storage assets and peaking and spot purchase agreements, as needed. Supply arrangements consist of both base load and swing supply (peaking) quantities and are contracted from our suppliers on a firm basis with various terms at market prices. Base load quantities are those that flow at a constant level throughout the month and swing supply quantities provide the flexibility to change daily quanti- ties to match increases or decreases in requirements related to weather conditions. Except for local production purchases, we select our natural gas suppliers through a competitive bidding process by periodically requesting proposals from suppliers that have demonstrated that they can provide reliable service. We select these suppliers based on their ability to deliver gas supply to our designated firm pipeline receipt points at the lowest reasonable cost. Major suppliers during fiscal 2017 were BP Energy Company, Cas- tleton Commodities Merchant Trading L.P., CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., Concord Energy LLC, Con- ocoPhillips Company, Devon Gas Services, L.P., Sequent Energy Management, L.P., Targa Gas Marketing LLC, Tenaska Gas Storage, LLC and Texla Energy Management, Inc. 5 The combination of base load, peaking and spot purchase agreements, coupled with the withdrawal of gas held in storage, allows us the flexibility to adjust to changes in weather, which minimizes our need to enter into long-term firm commitments. We estimate our peak-day availability of natural gas supply to be approximately 4.4 Bcf. The peak-day demand for our distribution operations in fiscal 2017 was on January 6, 2017, when sales to customers reached approximately 3.6 Bcf. Currently, our distribution divisions utilize 38 pipeline transportation companies, both interstate and intra- state, to transport our natural gas. The pipeline transportation agreements are firm and many of them have “pipeline no-notice” storage service, which provides for daily balancing between system requirements and nomi- nated flowing supplies. These agreements have been negotiated with the shortest term necessary while still main- taining our right of first refusal. The natural gas supply for our Mid-Tex Division is delivered primarily by our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division (APT). To maintain our deliveries to high priority customers, we have the ability, and have exercised our right, to curtail deliveries to certain customers under the terms of interruptible contracts or applicable state regulations or statutes. Our customers’ demand on our system is not necessarily indicative of our ability to meet current or anticipated market demands or immediate delivery requirements because of factors such as the physical limi- tations of gathering, storage and transmission systems, the duration and severity of cold weather, the availability of gas reserves from our suppliers, the ability to purchase additional supplies on a short-term basis and actions by federal and state regulatory authorities. Curtailment rights provide us the flexibility to meet the human-needs requirements of our customers on a firm basis. Priority allocations imposed by federal and state regulatory agen- cies, as well as other factors beyond our control, may affect our ability to meet the demands of our customers. We do not anticipate any problems with obtaining additional gas supply as needed for our customers. Pipeline and Storage Segment Overview Our pipeline and storage segment consists of the pipeline and storage operations of APT and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas-producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extend- ing into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Delaware and Val Verde Basins of West Texas. Through it’s system, APT provides transportation and storage services to our Mid-Tex Division, other third party local distribution companies, industrial and electric generation customers, marketers and producers. As part of its pipeline operations, APT owns and operates five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. Gross profit earned from transportation and storage services for APT is subject to traditional ratemaking governed by the RRC. Rates are updated through periodic filings made under Texas’ Gas Reliability Infra- structure Program (GRIP). GRIP allows us to include in our rate base annually approved capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year provided that we file a complete rate case at least once every five years, the most recent filing was completed in 2017. APT’s existing regulatory mechanisms allow certain transportation and storage services to be provided under market-based rates. Our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana are comprised of a proprietary 21-mile pipeline located in New Orleans, Louisiana that is primarily used to aggregate gas supply for our distribution division in Louisi- ana under a long-term contract and on a more limited basis, to third parties. The demand fee charged to our Loui- siana distribution division for these services is subject to regulatory approval by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. We also manage two asset management plans in Louisiana with distribution affiliates of the Com- pany, which have been approved by applicable state regulatory commissions. Generally, these asset management plans require us to share with our distribution customers a significant portion of the cost savings earned from these arrangements. Natural Gas Marketing Segment Overview Through December 31, 2016, we were engaged in a nonregulated natural gas marketing business, which was conducted by Atmos Energy Marketing (AEM). AEM’s primary business was to aggregate and purchase gas supply, arrange transportation and storage logistics and ultimately deliver gas to customers at competitive prices. 6 As more fully described in Note 15, effective January 1, 2017, we sold all of the equity interests of AEM to CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy Inc. As a result of the sale, Atmos Energy has fully exited the nonregulated natural gas marketing business. Accordingly, these operations have been reported as discontinued operations. Ratemaking Activity Overview The method of determining regulated rates varies among the states in which our regulated businesses oper- ate. The regulatory authorities have the responsibility of ensuring that utilities in their jurisdictions operate in the best interests of customers while providing utility companies the opportunity to earn a reasonable return on their investment. Generally, each regulatory authority reviews rate requests and establishes a rate structure intended to generate revenue sufficient to cover the costs of conducting business and to provide a reasonable return on invested capital. Our rate strategy focuses on reducing or eliminating regulatory lag, obtaining adequate returns and provid- ing stable, predictable margins, which benefit both our customers and the Company. As a result of our rate- making efforts in recent years, Atmos Energy has: ‰ Formula rate mechanisms in place in four states that provide for an annual rate review and adjustment to rates. ‰ Infrastructure programs in place in the majority of our states that provide for an annual adjustment to rates for qualifying capital expenditures. Through our annual formula rate mechanisms and infrastructure pro- grams, we have the ability to recover over 95 percent of our capital expenditures within six months. ‰ Authorization in tariffs, statute or commission rules that allows us to defer certain elements of our cost of service such as depreciation, ad valorem taxes and pension costs, until they are included in rates. ‰ WNA mechanisms in seven states that serve to minimize the effects of weather on approximately 97 percent of our distribution gross profit. ‰ The ability to recover the gas cost portion of bad debts in five states. 7 The following table provides a jurisdictional rate summary for our regulated operations. This information is for regulatory purposes only and may not be representative of our actual financial position. Division Jurisdiction Effective Date of Last Rate/GRIP Action Rate Base (thousands)(1) Authorized Rate of Return(1) Authorized Debt/ Equity Ratio Authorized Return on Equity(1) Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . . . . Texas Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Colorado SSIR Kansas Kansas GSRS 08/01/2017 01/01/2016 01/01/2017 03/17/2016 02/09/2017 08/15/2016 11/14/2016 06/01/2017 11/07/2016 04/01/2017 07/01/2017 06/01/2017 06/01/2017 01/12/2017 Mississippi - SIR 01/01/2017 Mississippi - SGR 01/01/2017 03/15/2017 05/23/2017 Texas-GRIP (3) (3) (3) 8.87% 47/53 $1,767,600 7.82% 48/52 129,094 7.82% 48/52 13,500 (3) 200,564 (3) 6,633 (3) 335,833 7.71% 51/49 38,173 7.49% 47/53 302,953 (3) 47,581 7.50% 47/53 156,200 385,435 7.43% 47/53 2,362,937(2) 8.36% 45/55 2,273,567(2) 8.38% 41/59 7.85% 47/53 387,252 7.85% 47/53 21,345 9.04% 47/53 17,437 (3) (3) 8.57% 48/52 476,665 (3) (3) 11.50% 9.60% 9.60% (3) (3) (3) 9.80% 9.80% (3) 9.80% 9.80% 10.50% 10.10% 9.73% 9.73% 12.00% 10.50% 10.50% Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky Kentucky PRP Tennessee Virginia Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trans La LGS Mid-Tex Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Mid-Tex — Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi West Texas(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Division Jurisdiction Bad Debt Rider(5) Formula Rate Infrastructure Mechanism Performance Based Rate Program(6) WNA Period Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . Texas Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Kansas Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . Kentucky Tennessee Virginia Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trans La LGS Mid-Tex Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Mid-Tex — Dallas . . . . . . . . . Texas Mississippi West Texas(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A No No Yes Yes No No No No No Yes No N/A N/A October-May November-April October-April January-December December-March December-March November-April November-April November-April October-May (1) The rate base, authorized rate of return and authorized return on equity presented in this table are those from the most recent regulatory filing for each jurisdiction. These rate bases, rates of return and returns on equity are not necessarily indicative of current or future rate bases, rates of return or returns on equity. (2) The Mid-Tex Rate Base amounts for the Mid-Tex Cities and Mid-Tex Dallas areas, combined, represent “system-wide”, or 100 percent, of the Mid-Tex Division’s rate base. (3) A rate base, rate of return, return on equity or debt/equity ratio was not included in the respective state commission’s final decision. (4) On April 1, 2014, a rate case settlement approved by the West Texas Cities reestablished an annual rate mechanism for all West Texas Division cities except Amarillo, Channing, Dalhart and Lubbock. (5) The bad debt rider allows us to recover from ratepayers the gas cost portion of uncollectible accounts. 8 (6) The performance-based rate program provides incentives to distribution companies to minimize purchased gas costs by allowing the companies and its customers to share the purchased gas costs savings. Although substantial progress has been made in recent years by improving rate design and recovery of investment across Atmos Energy’s operating areas, we will continue to seek improvements in rate design to address cost variations and pursue tariffs that reduce regulatory lag associated with investments. Further, poten- tial changes in federal energy policy, federal safety regulations and adverse economic conditions will necessitate continued vigilance by the Company and our regulators in meeting the challenges presented by these external factors. Recent Ratemaking Activity Substantially all of our regulated revenues in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were derived from sales at rates set by or subject to approval by local or state authorities. Net operating income increases resulting from ratemaking activity totaling $104.2 million, $122.5 million and $114.5 million, became effective in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, as summarized below: Rate Action Annual formula rate mechanisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate case filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other ratemaking activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 Annual Increase to Operating Income For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands) $114,974 7,716 (183) $ 90,427 12,961 784 $113,706 711 78 2015 Additionally, the following ratemaking efforts seeking $59.4 million in annual operating income were ini- tiated during fiscal 2017 but had not been completed as of September 30, 2017: $104,172 $122,507 $114,495 Division Rate Action Jurisdiction Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . . . . . Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GRIP Rate Case SAVE(1) PRP(1)(4) Rate Case ARM(2) True-Up SIR(1) SGR(3) SRF Rate Case Texas Colorado Virginia Kentucky Kentucky Tennessee Mississippi Mississippi Mississippi City of Dallas Operating Income Requested (In thousands) $28,988 2,916 308 5,638 4,778 850 8,111 1,385 4,214 2,247 $59,435 (1) The Steps to Advance Virginia Energy (SAVE) Plan, the Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP) and the Sys- tem Integrity Rider (SIR) surcharges relate to long-term programs to replace aging infrastructure. (2) The Annual Rate Mechanism (ARM) is a formula rate mechanism that refreshes the Company’s rates on an annual basis. (3) The Mississippi Supplemental Growth Rider (SGR) permits the Company to pursue eligible industrial growth projects beyond the division’s normal main extension policies with prior approval from the Mis- sissippi Public Service Commission. For fiscal 2017, the Commission approved a total of $13.2 million and has also approved $10.2 million under the program for fiscal 2018. (4) On October 27, 2017, we received a final order from the Kentucky Public Service Commission approving this increase. 9 Our recent ratemaking activity is discussed in greater detail below. Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms As an instrument to reduce regulatory lag, formula rate mechanisms allow us to refresh our rates on an annual basis without filing a formal rate case. However, these filings still involve discovery by the appropriate regulatory authorities prior to the final determination of rates under these mechanisms. We currently have for- mula rate mechanisms in our Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee operations and in substantially all of our Texas divisions. Additionally, we have specific infrastructure programs in substantially all of our distribution divisions and our Atmos Pipeline — Texas Division with tariffs in place to permit the investment associated with these programs to have their surcharge rate adjusted annually to recover approved capital costs incurred in a prior test-year period. The following table summarizes our annual formula rate mechanisms by state. State Infrastructure Programs Formula Rate Mechanisms Annual Formula Rate Mechanisms Colorado . . . . . . . . . . System Safety and Integrity Rider (SSIR) — Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas System Reliability Surcharge (GSRS) Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP) Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . (1) Mississippi . . . . . . . . . System Integrity Rider (SIR) Tennessee . . . . . . . . . — Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP), (1) Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . Steps to Advance Virginia Energy (SAVE) — — — Rate Stabilization Clause (RSC) Stable Rate Filing (SRF), Supplemental Growth Filing (SGR) Annual Rate Mechanism (ARM) Dallas Annual Rate Review (DARR), Rate Review Mechanism (RRM) (1) Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all expenses associated with capi- tal expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, which primarily consists of interest, depreciation and other taxes (Texas only), until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recoverable through base rates. The following table summarizes our annual formula rate mechanisms with effective dates during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015: Division Jurisdiction Test Year Ended 2017 Filings: Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LGS Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex DARR(1) Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Cities RRM Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennessee ARM Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Environs West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Environs West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas ALDC Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TransLa West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Cities RRM Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SRF Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SIR Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SGR Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado-SSIR Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky-PRP Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia-SAVE 12/2016 09/2016 12/2016 05/2018 12/2016 12/2016 12/2016 09/2016 09/2016 09/2016 10/2017 10/2017 10/2017 12/2017 09/2017 09/2017 Increase (Decrease) in Annual Operating Income (In thousands) $ 6,237 9,672 36,239 6,740 1,568 872 4,682 4,392 4,255 801 4,390 3,334 1,292 1,350 4,981 (378) Effective Date 07/01/2017 06/01/2017 06/01/2017 06/01/2017 05/23/2017 05/23/2017 04/25/2017 04/01/2017 03/15/2017 02/09/2017 02/01/2017 01/01/2017 01/01/2017 01/01/2017 10/14/2016 10/01/2016 Total 2017 Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 90,427 10 Division Jurisdiction Test Year Ended 2016 Filings: Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LGS Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennessee Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Cities RRM Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex DARR Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Environs Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Environs West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas ALDC Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trans La Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SRF Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SGR Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky-PRP Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia-SAVE West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Cities Total 2016 Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015 Filings: Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LGS West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Environs Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Environs Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Cities Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex DARR West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas ALDC Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trans La West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas Cities Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SRF Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi-SGR Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-Tex Cities 12/2015 05/2017 12/2015 09/2015 12/2015 12/2015 12/2015 12/2015 09/2015 12/2016 10/2016 10/2016 09/2016 09/2016 09/2015 12/2014 12/2014 12/2014 12/2014 09/2014 12/2014 12/2014 09/2014 09/2014 09/2014 10/2015 10/2015 09/2015 09/2015 12/2013 Increase (Decrease) in Annual Operating Income (In thousands) $ 8,686 4,888 25,816 5,429 1,325 40,658 646 3,484 6,216 764 9,192 250 3,786 118 3,716 $ 114,974 $ 1,321 697 1,158 16,801 4,420 4,593 37,248 (286) 4,300 301 4,441 782 4,382 133 33,415 Effective Date 07/01/2016 06/01/2016 06/01/2016 06/01/2016 05/03/2016 05/03/2016 05/03/2016 04/26/2016 04/01/2016 01/01/2016 01/01/2016 12/01/2015 10/01/2015 10/01/2015 10/01/2015 07/01/2015 06/12/2015 06/01/2015 06/01/2015 06/01/2015 05/01/2015 04/08/2015 04/01/2015 03/15/2015 02/01/2015 02/01/2015 11/01/2014 10/10/2014 10/01/2014 06/01/2014 Total 2015 Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 113,706 (1) The Company and the City of Dallas were unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable settlement; therefore, the DARR rates were implemented, subject to refund, pending the outcome of an appeal filed with the Texas Railroad Commission. The examiners issued a proposal for decision on October 30, 2017 recommending an increase of $9.2 million. The Company expects the Commission to issue a final order in December 2017. 11 Rate Case Filings A rate case is a formal request from Atmos Energy to a regulatory authority to increase rates that are charged to customers. Rate cases may also be initiated when the regulatory authorities request us to justify our rates. This process is referred to as a “show cause” action. Adequate rates are intended to provide for recovery of the Company’s costs as well as a fair rate of return to our shareholders and ensure that we continue to safely deliver reliable, reasonably priced natural gas service to our customers. The following table summarizes our recent rate cases: Division State Increase in Annual Operating Income (In thousands) Effective Date 2017 Rate Case Filings: Atmos Pipeline — Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Total 2017 Rate Case Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016 Rate Case Filings: Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado Total 2016 Rate Case Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015 Rate Case Filings: Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tennessee Total 2015 Rate Case Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Ratemaking Activity $12,955 6 $12,961 $ 2,723 537 2,372 2,084 $ 7,716 $ $ 711 711 08/01/2017 12/27/2016 08/15/2016 04/01/2016 03/17/2016 01/01/2016 06/01/2015 The following table summarizes other ratemaking activity during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015: Division Jurisdiction Rate Activity 2017 Other Rate Activity: Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total 2017 Other Rate Activity . . . . . . . 2016 Other Rate Activity: Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total 2016 Other Rate Activity . . . . . . . 2015 Other Rate Activity: Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total 2015 Other Rate Activity . . . . . . . Kansas Ad-Valorem(1) Kansas Ad-Valorem(1) Kansas Ad Valorem(1) Increase in Annual Operating Income (In thousands) $ 784 $ 784 $(183) $(183) $ 78 $ 78 Effective Date 02/01/2017 02/01/2016 02/01/2015 (1) The Ad Valorem filing relates to property taxes that are either over or uncollected compared to the amount included in our Kansas service area’s base rates. 12 Other Regulation We are regulated by various state or local public utility authorities. We are also subject to regulation by the United States Department of Transportation with respect to safety requirements in the operation and maintenance of our transmission and distribution facilities. In addition, our operations are also subject to various state and federal laws regulating environmental matters. From time to time, we receive inquiries regarding various environmental matters. We believe that our properties and operations substantially comply with, and are operated in substantial conformity with, applicable safety and environmental statutes and regulations. There are no admin- istrative or judicial proceedings arising under environmental quality statutes pending or known to be con- templated by governmental agencies which would have a material adverse effect on us or our operations. Our environmental claims have arisen primarily from former manufactured gas plant sites. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allows, pursuant to Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act, gas transportation services through our Atmos Pipeline — Texas assets “on behalf of” interstate pipe- lines or local distribution companies served by interstate pipelines, without subjecting these assets to the juris- diction of the FERC under the NGA. Additionally, the FERC has regulatory authority over the use and release of interstate pipeline and storage capacity. The FERC also has authority to detect and prevent market manipulation and to enforce compliance with FERC’s other rules, policies and orders by companies engaged in the sale, pur- chase, transportation or storage of natural gas in interstate commerce. We have taken what we believe are the necessary and appropriate steps to comply with these regulations. In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, representing an extensive overhaul of the framework for regulation of U.S. financial markets. The Dodd-Frank Act required various regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, to establish regulations for implementation of many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. A number of those regulations were adopted; we enacted procedures and modified existing business practices and contractual arrangements to comply with such regulations. Competition Although our regulated distribution operations are not currently in significant direct competition with any other distributors of natural gas to residential and commercial customers within our service areas, we do compete with other natural gas suppliers and suppliers of alternative fuels for sales to industrial customers. We compete in all aspects of our business with alternative energy sources, including, in particular, electricity. Electric utilities offer electricity as a rival energy source and compete for the space heating, water heating and cooking markets. Promotional incentives, improved equipment efficiencies and promotional rates all contribute to the acceptability of electrical equipment. The principal means to compete against alternative fuels is lower prices, and natural gas historically has maintained its price advantage in the residential, commercial and industrial markets. Our pipeline and storage operations historically faced competition from other existing intrastate pipelines seeking to provide or arrange transportation, storage and other services for customers. In the last few years, sev- eral new pipelines have been completed, which has increased the level of competition in this segment of our business. Within our discontinued natural gas marketing operations, AEM competed with other natural gas marketers to provide natural gas management and other related services primarily to smaller customers requiring higher levels of balancing, scheduling and other related management services. AEM experienced increased competition in recent years primarily from investment banks and major integrated oil and natural gas companies who offer lower cost, basic services. The increased competition has reduced margins most notably on its high-volume accounts. Employees At September 30, 2017, we had 4,565 employees, consisting of 4,504 employees in our distribution oper- ations and 61 employees in our pipeline and storage operations. 13 Available Information Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports, and amendments to those reports, and other forms that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available free of charge at our website, www.atmosenergy.com, under “Publications and Filings” under the “Investors” tab, as soon as reasonably practicable, after we electronically file these reports with, or furnish these reports to, the SEC. We will also provide copies of these reports free of charge upon request to Shareholder Relations at the address and telephone number appearing below: Shareholder Relations Atmos Energy Corporation P.O. Box 650205 Dallas, Texas 75265-0205 972-855-3729 Corporate Governance In accordance with and pursuant to relevant related rules and regulations of the SEC as well as corporate governance-related listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Board of Directors of the Company has established and periodically updated our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company. In addition, in accordance with and pursuant to such NYSE listing standards, our Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2017, Kim R. Cocklin, certi- fied to the New York Stock Exchange that he was not aware of any violations by the Company of NYSE corpo- rate governance listing standards. The Board of Directors also annually reviews and updates, if necessary, the charters for each of its Audit, Human Resources and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. All of the foregoing documents are posted on the Corporate Governance page of our website. We will also provide copies of all corporate governance documents free of charge upon request to Shareholder Relations at the address listed above. ITEM 1A. Risk Factors. Our financial and operating results are subject to a number of risk factors, many of which are not within our control. Although we have tried to discuss key risk factors below, please be aware that other or new risks may prove to be important in the future. Investors should carefully consider the following discussion of risk factors as well as other information appearing in this report. These factors include the following: The Company is dependent on continued access to the credit and capital markets to execute our business strategy. Our long-term debt is currently rated as “investment grade” by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Similar to most companies, we rely upon access to both short-term and long-term credit and capital markets to satisfy our liquidity requirements. If adverse credit conditions were to cause a significant limitation on our access to the private credit and public capital markets, we could see a reduction in our liquidity. A significant reduction in our liquidity could in turn trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by one or more of the credit rating agencies. Such a downgrade could further limit our access to private credit and/or public capital markets and increase our costs of borrowing. While we believe we can meet our capital requirements from our operations and the sources of financing available to us, we can provide no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so in the future, especially if the market price of natural gas increases significantly in the near term. The future effects on our business, liquid- ity and financial results of a deterioration of current conditions in the credit and capital markets could be material and adverse to us, both in the ways described above or in other ways that we do not currently anticipate. We are subject to state and local regulations that affect our operations and financial results. We are subject to regulatory oversight from various state and local regulatory authorities in the eight states that we serve. Therefore, our returns are continuously monitored and are subject to challenge for their reason- 14 ableness by the appropriate regulatory authorities or other third-party intervenors. In the normal course of busi- ness, as a regulated entity, we often need to place assets in service and establish historical test periods before rate cases that seek to adjust our allowed returns to recover that investment can be filed. Further, the regulatory review process can be lengthy in the context of traditional ratemaking. Because of this process, we suffer the negative financial effects of having placed assets in service without the benefit of rate relief, which is commonly referred to as “regulatory lag.” However, in the last several years, a number of regulatory authorities in the states we serve have approved rate mechanisms that provide for annual adjustments to rates that allow us to recover the cost of investments made to replace existing infrastructure or reflect changes in our cost of service. These mechanisms work to effec- tively reduce the regulatory lag inherent in the ratemaking process. However, regulatory lag could significantly increase if the regulatory authorities modify or terminate these rate mechanisms. The regulatory process also involves the risk that regulatory authorities may (i) review our purchases of natural gas and adjust the amount of our gas costs that we pass through to our customers or (ii) limit the costs we may have incurred from our cost of service that can be recovered from customers. A deterioration in economic conditions could adversely affect our customers and negatively impact our financial results. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in the United States, especially in the states in which we oper- ate, could adversely affect the financial resources of many domestic households and lead to an increase in mort- gage defaults and significant decreases in the values of our customers’ homes and investment assets. As a result, our customers could seek to use less gas and make it more difficult for them to pay their gas bills. This would likely lead to slower collections and higher than normal levels of accounts receivable. This, in turn, could increase our financing requirements. Additionally, should economic conditions deteriorate, our industrial customers could seek alternative energy sources, which could result in lower sales volumes. Inflation and increased gas costs could adversely impact our customer base and customer collections and increase our level of indebtedness. Over time, inflation has caused increases in some of our operating expenses and has required assets to be replaced at higher costs. We have a process in place to continually review the adequacy of our gas rates in rela- tion to the increasing cost of providing service and the inherent regulatory lag in adjusting those gas rates. Histor- ically, we have been able to budget and control operating expenses and investments within the amounts authorized to be collected in rates and intend to continue to do so. However, the ability to control expenses is an important factor that could impact future financial results. In addition, rapid increases in the costs of purchased gas would cause us to experience a significant increase in short-term debt. We must pay suppliers for gas when it is purchased, which can be significantly in advance of when these costs may be recovered through the collection of monthly customer bills for gas delivered. Increases in purchased gas costs also slow our natural gas distribution collection efforts as customers are more likely to delay the payment of their gas bills, leading to higher than normal accounts receivable. This could result in higher short-term debt levels, greater collection efforts and increased bad debt expense. If contracted gas supplies, interstate pipeline and/or storage services are not available or delivered in a timely manner, our ability to meet our customers’ natural gas requirements may be impaired and our financial condition may be adversely affected. In order to meet our customers’ annual and seasonal natural gas demands, we must obtain a sufficient sup- ply of natural gas, interstate pipeline capacity and storage capacity. If we are unable to obtain these, either from our suppliers’ inability to deliver the contracted commodity or the inability to secure replacement quantities, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. If a substantial disruption to or reduction in interstate natural gas pipelines’ transmission and storage capacity occurred due to operational failures or dis- ruptions, legislative or regulatory actions, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, terrorist or cyber-attacks or acts of war, our operations or financial results could be adversely affected. 15 We are exposed to market risks that are beyond our control, which could adversely affect our financial results and capital requirements. We are subject to market risks beyond our control, including (i) commodity price volatility caused by mar- ket supply and demand dynamics, counterparty performance or counterparty creditworthiness, and (ii) interest rate risk. We are generally insulated from commodity price risk through our purchased gas cost mechanisms. With respect to interest rate risk, we have been operating in a relatively low interest-rate environment in recent years compared to historical norms for both short and long-term interest rates. However, increases in interest rates could adversely affect our future financial results to the extent that we do not recover our actual interest expense in our rates. The concentration of our operations in the State of Texas exposes our operations and financial results to economic conditions, weather patterns and regulatory decisions in Texas. Over 50 percent of our distribution customers and most of our pipeline and storage assets and operations are located in the State of Texas. This concentration of our business in Texas means that our operations and financial results may be significantly affected by changes in the Texas economy in general, weather patterns and regu- latory decisions by state and local regulatory authorities in Texas. Our operations are subject to increased competition. In residential and commercial customer markets, our distribution operations compete with other energy products, such as electricity and propane. Our primary product competition is with electricity for heating, water heating and cooking. Increases in the price of natural gas could negatively impact our competitive position by decreasing the price benefits of natural gas to the consumer. This could adversely impact our business if, as a result, our customer growth slows, reducing our ability to make capital expenditures, or if our customers further conserve their use of gas, resulting in reduced gas purchases and customer billings. In the case of industrial customers, such as manufacturing plants, adverse economic conditions, including higher gas costs, could cause these customers to use alternative sources of energy, such as electricity, or bypass our systems in favor of special competitive contracts with lower per-unit costs. Our pipeline and storage oper- ations historically have faced limited competition from other existing intrastate pipelines and gas marketers seek- ing to provide or arrange transportation, storage and other services for customers. However, in the last few years, several new pipelines have been completed, which has increased the level of competition in this segment of our business. Adverse weather conditions could affect our operations or financial results. We have weather-normalized rates for over 95 percent of our residential and commercial meters in our dis- tribution operations, which substantially mitigates the adverse effects of warmer-than-normal weather for meters in those service areas. However, there is no assurance that we will continue to receive such regulatory protection from adverse weather in our rates in the future. The loss of such weather-normalized rates could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results. In addition, our operating results may continue to vary somewhat with the actual temperatures during the winter heating season. Additionally, sustained cold weather could chal- lenge our ability to adequately meet customer demand in our operations. Our growth in the future may be limited by the nature of our business, which requires extensive capital spending. Our operations are capital-intensive. We must make significant capital expenditures to renew or replace our facilities on a long-term basis to improve the safety and reliability of our facilities and to comply with the safety rules and regulations issued by the regulatory authorities responsible for the service areas we operate. In addition, we must continually build new capacity to serve the growing needs of the communities we serve. The magnitude of these expenditures may be affected by a number of factors, including new regulations, the general state of the economy and weather. 16 The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. The cost and availability of borrowing funds from third party lenders or issuing equity is dependent on the liquidity of the credit markets, interest rates and other market conditions. This in turn may limit the amount of funds we can invest in our infrastructure. The costs of providing health care benefits, pension and postretirement health care benefits and related funding requirements may increase substantially. We provide health care benefits, a cash-balance pension plan and postretirement health care benefits to eligi- ble full-time employees. The costs of providing health care benefits to our employees could significantly increase over time due to rapidly increasing health care inflation, and any future legislative changes related to the provi- sion of health care benefits. The impact of additional costs which are likely to be passed on to the Company is difficult to measure at this time. The costs of providing a cash-balance pension plan to eligible full-time employees prior to 2011 and post- retirement health care benefits to eligible full-time employees and related funding requirements could be influ- enced by changes in the market value of the assets funding our pension and postretirement health care plans. Any significant declines in the value of these investments due to sustained declines in equity markets or a reduction in bond yields could increase the costs of our pension and postretirement health care plans and related funding requirements in the future. Further, our costs of providing such benefits and related funding requirements are also subject to a number of factors, including (i) changing demographics, including longer life expectancy of benefi- ciaries and an expected increase in the number of eligible former employees over the next five to ten years; (ii) various actuarial calculations and assumptions which may differ materially from actual results due primarily to changing market and economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, and higher or lower withdrawal rates; and (iii) future government regulation. The costs to the Company of providing these benefits and related funding requirements could also increase materially in the future, should there be a material reduction in the amount of the recovery of these costs through our rates or should significant delays develop in the timing of the recovery of such costs, which could adversely affect our financial results. The inability to continue to hire, train and retain operational, technical and managerial personnel could adversely affect our results of operations. The average age of the employee base of Atmos Energy has been increasing for a number of years, with a number of employees becoming eligible to retire within the next five to 10 years. If we were unable to hire appropriate personnel to fill future needs, the Company could encounter operating challenges and increased costs, primarily due to a loss of knowledge, errors due to inexperience or the lengthy time period typically required to adequately train replacement personnel. In addition, higher costs could result from the increased use of contractors to replace retiring employees, loss of productivity or increased safety compliance issues. The inability to hire, train and retain new operational, technical and managerial personnel adequately and to transfer institutional knowledge and expertise could adversely affect our ability to manage and operate our business. If we were unable to hire, train and retain appropriately qualified personnel, our results of operations could be adversely affected. We may experience increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations. The safety and protection of the public, our customers and our employees is our top priority. We constantly monitor and maintain our pipeline and distribution systems to ensure that natural gas is delivered safely, reliably and efficiently through our network of more than 75,000 miles of pipeline and distribution lines. However, in recent years, natural gas distribution and pipeline companies have continued to face increasing federal, state and local oversight of the safety of their operations. Although we believe these costs should be ultimately recoverable through our rates, the costs of complying with new laws and regulations may have at least a short-term adverse impact on our operating costs and financial results. 17 Some of our operations are subject to increased federal regulatory oversight that could affect our operations and financial results. FERC has regulatory authority over some of our operations, including the use and release of interstate pipe- line and storage capacity. FERC has adopted rules designed to prevent market power abuse and market manipu- lation and to promote compliance with FERC’s other rules, policies and orders by companies engaged in the sale, purchase, transportation or storage of natural gas in interstate commerce. These rules carry increased penalties for violations. Although we have taken steps to structure current and future transactions to comply with appli- cable current FERC regulations, changes in FERC regulations or their interpretation by FERC or additional regu- lations issued by FERC in the future could also adversely affect our business, financial condition or financial results. We are subject to environmental regulations which could adversely affect our operations or financial results. We are subject to laws, regulations and other legal requirements enacted or adopted by federal, state and local governmental authorities relating to protection of the environment and health and safety matters, including those that govern discharges of substances into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and waste, the clean-up of contaminated sites, groundwater quality and availability, plant and wildlife protection, as well as work practices related to employee health and safety. Environmental legislation also requires that our facilities, sites and other properties associated with our operations be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties or interruptions in our operations that could be significant to our financial results. In addition, existing environmental regulations may be revised or our operations may become subject to new regulations. The operations and financial results of the Company could be adversely impacted as a result of climate change or related additional legislation or regulation in the future. To the extent climate change occurs, our businesses could be adversely impacted, although we believe it is likely that any such resulting impacts would occur very gradually over a long period of time and thus would be difficult to quantify with any degree of specificity. To the extent climate change would result in warmer temper- atures in our service territories, financial results could be adversely affected through lower gas volumes and revenues. Such climate change could also cause shifts in population, including customers moving away from our service territories near the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi. Another possible climate change would be more frequent and more severe weather events, such as hurri- canes and tornadoes, which could increase our costs to repair damaged facilities and restore service to our customers. If we were unable to deliver natural gas to our customers, our financial results would be impacted by lost revenues, and we generally would have to seek approval from regulators to recover restoration costs. To the extent we would be unable to recover those costs, or if higher rates resulting from our recovery of such costs would result in reduced demand for our services, our future business, financial condition or financial results could be adversely impacted. In addition, there have been a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives proposed in recent years in an attempt to control or limit the effects of global warming and overall climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. The adoption of this type of legislation by Congress or similar legislation by states or the adoption of related regulations by federal or state governments mandating a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the future could have far-reaching and significant impacts on the energy industry. Such new legislation or regulations could result in increased compliance costs for us or additional oper- ating restrictions on our business, affect the demand for natural gas or impact the prices we charge to our customers. At this time, we cannot predict the potential impact of such laws or regulations that may be adopted on our future business, financial condition or financial results. 18 Distributing, transporting and storing natural gas involve risks that may result in accidents and additional operating costs. Our operations involve a number of hazards and operating risks that cannot be completely avoided, such as leaks, accidents and operational problems, which could cause loss of human life, as well as substantial financial losses resulting from property damage, damage to the environment and to our operations. We maintain liability and property insurance coverage in place for many of these hazards and risks. However, because some of our transmission pipeline and storage facilities are near or are in populated areas, any loss of human life or adverse financial results resulting from such events could be large. If these events were not fully covered by our general liability and property insurance, which policies are subject to certain limits and deductibles, our operations or financial results could be adversely affected. Cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism could disrupt our business operations and information technology systems or result in the loss or exposure of confidential or sensitive customer, employee or Company information. Our business operations and information technology systems may be vulnerable to an attack by individuals or organizations intending to disrupt our business operations and information technology systems, even though the Company has implemented policies, procedures and controls to prevent and detect these activities. We use our information technology systems to manage our distribution and intrastate pipeline and storage operations and other business processes. Disruption of those systems could adversely impact our ability to safely deliver natural gas to our customers, operate our pipeline and storage systems or serve our customers timely. Accordingly, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, we use our information technology systems to protect confidential or sensitive customer, employee and Company information developed and maintained in the normal course of our business. Any attack on such systems that would result in the unauthorized release of customer, employee or other confidential or sensitive data could have a material adverse effect on our business reputation, increase our costs and expose us to additional material legal claims and liability. Even though we have insurance coverage in place for many of these cyber-related risks, if such an attack or act of terrorism were to occur, our operations and financial results could be adversely affected to the extent not fully covered by such insurance coverage. Natural disasters, terrorist activities or other significant events could adversely affect our operations or financial results. Natural disasters are always a threat to our assets and operations. In addition, the threat of terrorist activities could lead to increased economic instability and volatility in the price of natural gas that could affect our oper- ations. Also, companies in our industry may face a heightened risk of exposure to actual acts of terrorism, which could subject our operations to increased risks. As a result, the availability of insurance covering such risks may become more limited, which could increase the risk that an event could adversely affect our operations or finan- cial results. ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. Not applicable. ITEM 2. Properties. Distribution, transmission and related assets At September 30, 2017, in our distribution segment, we owned an aggregate of 70,605 miles of underground distribution and transmission mains throughout our distribution systems. These mains are located on easements or rights-of-way which generally provide for perpetual use. We maintain our mains through a program of con- tinuous inspection and repair and believe that our system of mains is in good condition. Through our pipeline and storage segment we owned 5,682 miles of gas transmission lines as well. 19 Storage Assets We own underground gas storage facilities in several states to supplement the supply of natural gas in peri- ods of peak demand. The following table summarizes certain information regarding our underground gas storage facilities at September 30, 2017: State Usable Capacity (Mcf) Cushion Gas (Mcf)(1) Total Capacity (Mcf) Maximum Daily Delivery Capability (Mcf) Distribution Segment Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,881,596 3,239,000 1,907,571 9,562,283 2,300,000 2,442,917 17,443,879 5,539,000 4,350,488 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,028,167 14,305,200 27,333,367 158,100 45,000 31,000 234,100 Pipeline and Storage Segment Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,083,549 438,583 15,878,025 300,973 61,961,574 739,556 1,559,000 56,000 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,522,132 16,178,998 62,701,130 1,615,000 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,550,299 30,484,198 90,034,497 1,849,100 (1) Cushion gas represents the volume of gas that must be retained in a facility to maintain reservoir pressure. Additionally, we contract for storage service in underground storage facilities on many of the interstate and intrastate pipelines serving us to supplement our proprietary storage capacity. The following table summarizes our contracted storage capacity at September 30, 2017: Segment Division/Company Distribution Segment Colorado-Kansas Division Kentucky/Mid-States Division Louisiana Division Mid-Tex Division Mississippi Division West Texas Division Maximum Storage Quantity (MMBtu) 5,129,562 8,175,103 2,480,779 3,500,000 3,823,800 5,000,000 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,109,244 Pipeline and Storage Segment Maximum Daily Withdrawal Quantity (MDWQ)(1) 124,830 226,739 173,605 175,000 126,334 161,000 987,508 Total Contracted Storage Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,783,244 1,055,015 Trans Louisiana Gas Pipeline, Inc. 1,674,000 67,507 (1) Maximum daily withdrawal quantity (MDWQ) amounts will fluctuate depending upon the season and the month. Unless otherwise noted, MDWQ amounts represent the MDWQ amounts as of November 1, which is the beginning of the winter heating season. Offices Our administrative offices and corporate headquarters are consolidated in a leased facility in Dallas, Texas. We also maintain field offices throughout our service territory, the majority of which are located in leased facili- ties. 20 ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated in this Item 3 by reference. ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Our stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ATO.” The high and low sale prices and dividends paid per share of our common stock for fiscal 2017 and 2016 are listed below. The high and low prices listed are the closing NYSE quotes, as reported on the NYSE composite tape, for shares of our com- mon stock: Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016 High Low Dividends Paid High Low Dividends Paid Quarter ended: December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $74.73 80.40 85.54 88.69 $68.96 73.21 78.90 82.42 $0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 $1.80 $64.25 74.33 81.32 81.16 $57.82 61.74 70.60 71.88 $0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 $1.68 Dividends are payable at the discretion of our Board of Directors out of legally available funds. The Board of Directors typically declares dividends in the same fiscal quarter in which they are paid. The number of record holders of our common stock on October 31, 2017 was 13,341. Future payments of dividends, and the amounts of these dividends, will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other fac- tors. We sold no securities during fiscal 2017 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 21 Performance Graph The performance graph and table below compares the yearly percentage change in our total return to share- holders for the last five fiscal years with the total return of the S&P 500 Stock Index and the cumulative total return of two different customized peer company groups, the New Comparison Company Index and the Old Comparison Company Index. The New Comparison Company Index is comprised of natural gas distribution companies with similar revenues, market capitalizations and asset bases to that of the Company. The graph and table below assume that $100.00 was invested on September 30, 2012 in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index and in the common stock of the companies in the New and Old Comparison Company Indices, as well as a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period. Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return among Atmos Energy Corporation, S&P 500 Index and Comparison Company Index $280 $270 $260 $250 $240 $230 $220 $210 $200 $190 $180 $170 $160 $150 $140 $130 $120 $110 $100 $90 9/30/2012 9/30/2013 9/30/2014 9/30/2015 9/30/2016 9/30/2017 Atmos Energy Corporation S&P 500 Old Comparison Company Index New Comparison Company Index Cumulative Total Return 9/30/2012 9/30/2013 9/30/2014 9/30/2015 9/30/2016 9/30/2017 Atmos Energy Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . S&P 500 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Old Comparison Company Index . . . . . . . . New Comparison Company Index . . . . . . . 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 123.32 119.34 118.55 115.80 142.46 142.89 140.49 135.84 178.85 142.02 154.76 149.18 234.47 163.93 197.60 186.87 270.05 194.44 240.77 222.79 The New Comparison Company Index reflects the cumulative total return of companies in our peer group, which is comprised of a hybrid group of utility companies, primarily natural gas distribution companies, recom- mended by our independent executive compensation consulting firm and approved by the Board of Directors. The companies in the index are Alliant Energy Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CMS Energy Corporation, DTE Energy Company, National Fuel Gas Company, NextEra Energy, Inc., NiSource Inc., ONE Gas, Inc., Spire, Inc. (formerly The Laclede Group, Inc.), Vectren Corporation, WEC Energy Group, Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc., and Xcel Energy, Inc. The Old Comparison Company Index includes AGL Resources Inc.(1), CenterPoint Energy, Inc., CMS Energy Corporation, NiSource Inc., ONE Gas, Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.(1), Questar Corporation(1), TECO Energy, Inc.(1), Spire, Inc. (formerly The Laclede Group, Inc.), Vectren Corporation and WGL Holdings, Inc. (1) AGL Resources Inc., Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., Questar Corporation and TECO Energy, Inc. were acquired prior to September 30, 2017. As a result, the cumulative total return of these companies is not included in the Old Comparison Company Index represented in the graph above. 22 The following table sets forth the number of securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensa- tion plans at September 30, 2017. Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, restricted stock units, warrants and rights (a) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan . . . . . . . 1,143,243(1) Total equity compensation plans approved by security holders . . . . . . 1,143,243 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders . . . . . . — Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,143,243 $ $ — — — — 2,035,861 2,035,861 — 2,035,861 (1) Comprised of a total of 478,367 time-lapse restricted stock units, 361,381 director share units and 303,495 performance-based restricted stock units at the target level of performance granted under our 1998 Long- Term Incentive Plan. ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data. The following table sets forth selected financial data of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included herein. Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) 2015 2014 2013 Results of Operations Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted income per share from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . Diluted net income per share . . . . . . . Cash dividends declared per share . . Financial Condition Net property, plant and equipment(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Capitalization: Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . Long-term debt (excluding current maturities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,759,735 $ 1,834,199 $ 2,454,648 $ 1,708,456 $2,926,985 $1,631,310 $3,243,904 $1,521,844 $2,572,488 $1,377,392 $ $ $ $ $ 382,711 396,421 3.60 3.73 1.80 $ $ $ $ $ 345,542 350,104 $ 305,623 $ 315,075 $ 270,331 $ 289,817 $ 232,378 $ 243,194 3.33 3.38 1.68 $ $ $ 3.00 3.09 1.56 $ $ $ 2.76 2.96 1.48 $ $ $ 2.52 2.64 1.40 $ 9,259,182 $10,749,596 $ 8,268,606 $10,010,889 $7,416,700 $9,075,072 $6,709,926 $8,581,006 $6,013,975 $7,919,069 $ 3,898,666 $ 3,463,059 $3,194,797 $3,086,232 $2,580,409 3,067,045 2,188,779 2,437,515 2,442,288 2,440,472 Total capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,965,711 $ 5,651,838 $5,632,312 $5,528,520 $5,020,881 (1) Amounts shown are net of assets held for sale related to the divestiture of our natural gas marketing business. 23 ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. INTRODUCTION This section provides management’s discussion of the financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations of Atmos Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries with specific information on results of operations and liquidity and capital resources. It includes management’s interpretation of our financial results, the factors affecting these results, the major factors expected to affect future operating results and future investment and financing plans. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our con- solidated financial statements and notes thereto. Several factors exist that could influence our future financial performance, some of which are described in Item 1A above, “Risk Factors”. They should be considered in connection with evaluating forward-looking state- ments contained in this report or otherwise made by or on behalf of us since these factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those set out in such forward-looking statements. Cautionary Statement for the Purposes of the Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking state- ments made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Report, or any other of our documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “objective”, “plan”, “projection”, “seek”, “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements relating to our strategy, operations, mar- kets, services, rates, recovery of costs, availability of gas supply and other factors. These risks and uncertainties include the following: our ability to continue to access the credit and capital markets to satisfy our liquidity requirements; regulatory trends and decisions, including the impact of rate proceedings before various state regu- latory commissions; the impact of adverse economic conditions on our customers; the effects of inflation and changes in the availability and price of natural gas; the availability and accessibility of contracted gas supplies, interstate pipeline and/or storage services; market risks beyond our control affecting our risk management activ- ities, including commodity price volatility, counterparty creditworthiness or performance and interest rate risk; the concentration of our distribution and pipeline and storage operations in Texas; increased competition from energy suppliers and alternative forms of energy; adverse weather conditions; the capital-intensive nature of our distribution and pipeline and storage businesses; increased costs of providing health care benefits along with pension and postretirement health care benefits and increased funding requirements; the inability to continue to hire, train and retain appropriate personnel; possible increased federal, state and local regulation of the safety of our operations; increased federal regulatory oversight and potential penalties; the impact of environmental regu- lations on our business; the impact of climate change or related additional legislation or regulation in the future; the inherent hazards and risks involved in operating our distribution and pipeline and storage businesses; the threat of cyber-attacks or acts of cyber-terrorism that could disrupt our business operations and information tech- nology systems; natural disasters, terrorist activities or other events and other risks and uncertainties discussed herein, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, while we believe these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judg- 24 ments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from estimates. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Notes 2 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies discussed below are both important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make difficult, subjective or complex accounting estimates. Accordingly, these critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Critical Accounting Policy Summary of Policy Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our distribution and pipeline operations meet the criteria of a cost-based, rate-regulated entity under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, the financial results for these operations reflect the effects of the rate- making and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions to which we are subject. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permitted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recog- nized. The amounts expected to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations. Discontinuing the application of this method of accounting for regulatory assets and liabilities or changes in the accounting for our various regu- latory mechanisms could significantly increase our operating expenses as fewer costs would likely be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet, which could reduce our net income. Unbilled Revenue . . . . . . . . . We follow the revenue accrual method of account- ing for distribution segment revenues whereby revenues attributable to gas delivered to custom- ers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense. When permitted, we implement rates that have not been formally approved by our regulatory author- ities, subject to refund. We recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the juris- diction in which the rates were implemented. Factors Influencing Application of the Policy Decisions of regulatory authorities Issuance of new regu- lations or regulatory mechanisms Assessing the probability of the recoverability of deferred costs Continuing to meet the criteria of a cost-based, rate regulated entity for accounting purposes Estimates of delivered sales volumes based on actual tariff information and weather information and estimates of customer consumption and/or behavior Estimates of purchased gas costs related to esti- mated deliveries Estimates of amounts bil- led subject to refund Pension and other postretirement plans . . . . . Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis General economic and market conditions 25 Critical Accounting Policy Factors Influencing Application of the Policy Assumed investment returns by asset class Assumed future salary increases Assumed discount rate Projected timing of future cash disbursements Health care cost experi- ence trends Participant demographic information Actuarial mortality assumptions Impact of legislation Impact of regulation Summary of Policy using a September 30 measurement date and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, esti- mates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demographic and actuarial mortality data. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities. The discount rate is utilized principally in calculat- ing the actuarial present value of our pension and postretirement obligations and net periodic pen- sion and postretirement benefit plan costs. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds avail- able in the marketplace that are suitable for set- tling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit dis- bursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of our annual pension and post- retirement plan costs. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors in making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan costs are not affected. Rather, this gain or loss reduces or increases future pension or postretirement plan costs over a period of approximately ten to twelve years. The market-related value of our plan assets repre- sents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctua- tions over a five-year period. The use of this methodology will delay the impact of current 26 Critical Accounting Policy Summary of Policy Factors Influencing Application of the Policy market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period. We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our postretirement net expense based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legis- lation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon our annual review of our participant census information as of the measurement date. Impairment assessments . . . We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including goodwill and identifiable intangibles, whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable, and at least annually for goodwill, as required by U.S. accounting stan- dards. The evaluation of our goodwill balances and other long-lived assets or identifiable assets for which uncertainty exists regarding the recoverability of the carrying value of such assets involves the assessment of future cash flows and external market conditions and other subjective factors that could impact the estimation of future cash flows including, but not limited to the commodity prices, the amount and timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances or market conditions could adversely affect these estimates, which could result in an impairment charge. General economic and market conditions Projected timing and amount of future dis- counted cash flows Judgment in the evalua- tion of relevant data Non-GAAP Financial Measure Our operations are affected by the cost of natural gas. The cost of gas is passed through to our customers without markup and includes commodity price, transportation, storage, injection and withdrawal fees and settle- ments of financial instruments used to mitigate commodity price risk. These costs are reflected in the income statement as purchased gas cost. Therefore, increases in the cost of gas are offset by a corresponding increase in revenues. Accordingly, we believe Gross Profit, a non-GAAP financial measure defined as operating revenues less purchased gas cost, is a better indicator of our financial performance than operating revenues as it provides a useful and more relevant measure to analyze our financial performance. As such, the following discussion and analysis of our financial performance will reference gross profit rather than operating revenues and purchased gas cost individually. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Overview Atmos Energy strives to operate our businesses safely and reliably while delivering superior shareholder value. In recent years we have implemented rate designs that reduce or eliminate regulatory lag and separate the recovery of our approved rate from customer usage patterns. Additionally, we have significantly increased investments in the safety and reliability of our natural gas distribution and transmission infrastructure. This 27 increased level of investment and timely recovery of these investments through our various regulatory mecha- nisms has resulted in increased earnings and operating cash flow in recent years. This trend continued during fiscal 2017 as net income increased to $396.4 million, or $3.73 per diluted share for the year ended September 30, 2017, compared with net income of $350.1 million or $3.38 per diluted share in the prior year. The year-over-year increase largely reflects positive rate outcomes, which more than offset weather that was 12 percent warmer than the prior year. Results for fiscal 2017 include $0.13 per diluted share from discontinued operations. In January 2017, we completed the sale of our nonregulated natural gas marketing business. We received $140.3 million in cash proceeds, including working capital and recognized a net gain of $0.03 per diluted share on the sale in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The proceeds from the sale were redeployed to fund infrastructure investments in our remaining businesses. As a result of the sale, we have fully exited the nonregulated gas marketing business. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2017 totaled $1,137.1 million. Over 80 percent was invested to improve the safety and reliability of our distribution and transmission systems, with a significant portion of this investment incurred under regulatory mechanisms that reduce regulatory lag to six months or less. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 spending under these and other mechanisms enabled the Company to complete 19 regulatory filings during fiscal 2017 that should increase annual operating income from regulated operations by $104.2 million. We funded over 75 percent of our current-year capital expenditure program primarily through operating cash flows of $867.1 million. In addition, we acquired EnLink Pipeline in the first fiscal quarter of 2017 for an all — cash price of $86.1 million, inclusive of working capital. The acquisition of EnLink Pipeline increased the capacity on our APT intrastate pipeline to serve transportation customers in North Texas, which continues to experience sig- nificant population growth. As we continue to invest in the safety and reliability of our distribution and transmission systems, we expect our capital spending will increase in future periods. We intend to fund future investments through a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. During fiscal 2017 we received net proceeds of $885 million through the issuance of long-term debt and $99 million through the issuance of com- mon stock. The net proceeds from these issuances were primarily used to repay maturing long-term debt, reduce short-term debt and for general corporate purposes, including funding a portion of our fiscal 2017 capital expenditures. As a result of the continued contribution and stability of our earnings, cash flows and capital structure, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 7.8 percent for fiscal 2018. 28 Consolidated Results The following table presents our consolidated financial highlights for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations before income taxes . . . Net income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted net income from continuing operations per share . . Diluted net income from discontinued operations per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diluted net income per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2015 2016 2017 (In thousands, except per share data) $2,454,648 746,192 1,051,226 657,230 114,812 542,184 345,542 4,562 $ 350,104 3.33 $ $2,759,735 925,536 1,106,653 727,546 120,182 604,094 382,711 13,710 $ 396,421 3.60 $ $2,926,985 1,295,675 1,019,078 612,232 116,241 495,172 305,623 9,452 $ 315,075 3.00 $ 0.13 3.73 $ 0.05 3.38 $ 0.09 3.09 Our consolidated net income during the last three fiscal years was earned across our business segments as follows: Distribution segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income from discontinued natural gas marketing 2017 For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands) $233,830 111,712 $268,369 114,342 $205,820 99,803 2015 382,711 345,542 305,623 operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,710 4,562 9,452 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $396,421 $350,104 $315,075 See the following discussion regarding the results of operations for each of our business operating segments. Distribution Segment The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states. The primary factors that impact the results of our distribution operations are our ability to earn our authorized rates of return, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in our service areas. Our ability to earn our authorized rates is based primarily on our ability to improve the rate design in our various ratemaking jurisdictions to minimize regulatory lag and, ultimately, separate the recovery of our approved rates from customer usage patterns. Improving rate design is a long-term process and is further compli- cated by the fact that we operate in multiple rate jurisdictions. The “Ratemaking Activity” section of this Form 10-K describes our current rate strategy, progress towards implementing that strategy and recent ratemaking ini- tiatives in more detail. We are generally able to pass the cost of gas through to our customers without markup under purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms; therefore, increases in the cost of gas are offset by a corresponding increase in revenues. Gross profit in our Texas and Mississippi service areas include franchise fees and gross receipt taxes, which are calculated as a percentage of revenue (inclusive of gas costs). Therefore, the amount of these taxes 29 included in revenue is influenced by the cost of gas and the level of gas sales volumes. We record the associated tax expense as a component of taxes, other than income. Although changes in revenue related taxes arising from changes in gas costs affect gross profit, over time the impact is offset within operating income. Although the cost of gas typically does not have a direct impact on our gross profit, higher gas costs may adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad debt expense, and may require us to increase borrowings under our credit facilities resulting in higher interest expense. In addition, higher gas costs, as well as competitive factors in the industry and general economic conditions may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial consumers, to use alternative energy sources. Currently, gas cost risk has been miti- gated by rate design that allows us to collect from our customers the gas cost portion of our bad debt expense on approximately 76 percent of our residential and commercial margins. During fiscal 2017, we completed 18 regulatory proceedings in our distribution segment, which should result in a $91.2 million increase in annual operating income. Review of Financial and Operating Results Financial and operational highlights for our distribution segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented below. Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,649,175 1,269,456 2017 For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 (In thousands, unless otherwise noted) $2,821,362 1,574,447 $309,397 210,880 $2,339,778 1,058,576 2017 vs. 2016 Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,379,719 874,077 1,281,202 839,318 1,246,915 824,223 Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous income (expense) . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505,642 (1,695) 79,789 424,158 155,789 441,884 1,171 78,238 364,817 130,987 422,692 284 83,087 339,889 134,069 98,517 34,759 63,758 (2,866) 1,551 59,341 24,802 2016 vs. 2015 $(481,584) (515,871) 34,287 15,095 19,192 887 (4,849) 24,928 (3,082) Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 268,369 $ 233,830 $ 205,820 $ 34,539 $ 28,010 Consolidated distribution sales volumes — MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated distribution transportation volumes — MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total consolidated distribution 246,825 258,650 307,985 (11,825) (49,335) 141,540 133,378 135,972 8,162 (2,594) throughput — MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . 388,365 392,028 443,957 (3,663) (51,929) Consolidated distribution average cost of gas per Mcf sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5.14 $ 4.09 $ 5.11 $ 1.05 $ (1.02) Fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 Net income for our distribution segment increased 15 percent, primarily due to a $98.5 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by a $34.8 million increase in operating expenses. The year-to-date increase in gross profit primarily reflects: ‰ a $72.4 million net increase in rate adjustments, primarily in our Mid-Tex, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Texas Divisions. ‰ Customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex and Kentucky/Mid-States Divisions, which contributed an incremental $5.8 million. 30 ‰ a $5.8 million increase in transportation gross profit, primarily in the Kentucky/Mid-States and Mid-Tex Divisions. ‰ a $5.2 million increase in revenue-related taxes primarily in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions, off- set by a corresponding $5.1 million increase in the related tax expense. ‰ a $2.9 million increase in net consumption, despite weather that was 12 percent warmer than the prior year. The increase in operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, bad debt expense, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, was primarily due to increased depreciation expense and property taxes associated with increased capital investments, higher employee-related costs, increased revenue-related taxes, as discussed above, and higher pipeline maintenance and related activities, partially offset by lower legal costs. Fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 Net income for our distribution segment increased 14 percent, primarily due to a $34.3 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by a $15.1 million increase in operating expenses. The year-over-year increase in gross profit primarily reflects: ‰ a $47.5 million net increase in rate adjustments. Our Mid-Tex Division accounted for $20.9 million of this increase. We also experienced increases in our Mississippi and West Texas Divisions. ‰ The impact of weather that was 25 percent warmer than the prior year, before adjusting for weather nor- malization mechanisms. Therefore, although sales volumes declined 16 percent, gross margin experienced just a $3.4 million decline from lower consumption. ‰ Customer growth, primarily in our Mid-Tex, Louisiana and Tennessee service areas, which contributed an incremental $6.6 million. ‰ a $15.4 million decrease in revenue-related taxes primarily in our Mid-Tex and West Texas Divisions, offset by a corresponding $16.1 million decrease in the related tax expense. The increase in operating expenses, which include operation and maintenance expense, bad debt expense, depreciation and amortization expense and taxes, other than income, was primarily due to pipeline maintenance and related activities and increased depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments. Net income for the year ended September 30, 2016 included a $5.0 million income tax benefit for equity awards that vested during the current year as a result of adopting the new stock-based accounting guidance, as described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The following table shows our operating income by distribution division, in order of total rate base, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The presentation of our distribution operating income is included for financial reporting purposes and may not be appropriate for ratemaking purposes. For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2017 vs. 2016 2016 2015 2016 vs. 2015 Mid-Tex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kentucky/Mid-States . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado-Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 $233,158 75,214 69,300 46,859 38,505 34,658 7,948 $210,608 63,730 55,857 41,131 37,398 31,840 1,320 (In thousands) $196,847 58,849 55,633 37,041 34,210 28,606 11,506 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $505,642 $441,884 $422,692 31 $22,550 11,484 13,443 5,728 1,107 2,818 6,628 $63,758 $ 13,761 4,881 224 4,090 3,188 3,234 (10,186) $ 19,192 Pipeline and Storage Segment Our pipeline and storage segment consists of the pipeline and storage operations of Atmos Pipeline-Texas Division (APT) and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana, which were previously included in our former nonregulated segment. APT is one of the largest intrastate pipeline operations in Texas with a heavy concentration in the established natural gas producing areas of central, northern and eastern Texas, extending into or near the major producing areas of the Barnett Shale, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Delaware and Val Verde Basins of West Texas. APT provides transportation and storage services to our Mid-Tex Division, other third party local distribution companies, industrial and electric generation customers, marketers and producers. As part of its pipeline operations, APT manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. Our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana are comprised of a proprietary 21-mile pipeline located in New Orleans, Louisiana that is primarily used to aggregate gas supply for our distribution division in Louisi- ana under a long-term contract and on a more limited basis, to third parties. The demand fee charged to our Loui- siana distribution division for these services is subject to regulatory approval by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. We also manage two asset management plans which have been approved by applicable state regu- latory commissions. Generally, these asset management plans require us to share with our distribution customers a significant portion of the cost savings earned from these arrangements. Our pipeline and storage segment is impacted by seasonal weather patterns, competitive factors in the energy industry and economic conditions in APT’s service area. Natural gas prices do not directly impact the results of this segment as revenues are derived from the transportation of natural gas. However, natural gas prices and demand for natural gas could influence the level of drilling activity in the markets that we serve, which may influence the level of throughput we may be able to transport on our pipeline. Further, natural gas price differ- ences between the various hubs that we serve determine the market value for transportation services between those geographic areas. The results of APT are also significantly impacted by the natural gas requirements of the Mid-Tex Division because APT is the Mid-Tex Division’s primary transporter of natural gas. APT annually uses the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) to recover capital costs incurred in the prior calendar year. However, GRIP also requires a utility to file a statement of intent at least once every five years to review its costs and expenses, including capital costs filed for recovery under GRIP. On August 1, 2017, a final order was issued in our most recent APT rate case, resulting in a $13 million increase in annual operating income. On September 1, 2017, APT filed its 2016 GRIP filing covering changes in net investment from October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 with a requested increase in operating income of $29.0 million. On December 21, 2016, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved an annual increase of five per- cent to the demand fee charged by our natural gas transmission pipeline for each of the next 10 years, effective October 1, 2017. This agreement replaces the existing agreement that expired in September 2017. Finally, as a regulated pipeline, the operations of APT may be impacted by the timing of when costs and expenses are incurred and when these costs and expenses are recovered through its tariffs. 32 Review of Financial and Operating Results Financial and operational highlights for our pipeline and storage segment for the fiscal years ended Sep- tember 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented below. 2017 Mid-Tex / Affiliate transportation revenue . . Third-party transportation revenue . . . . . . . . Other revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $338,850 100,100 18,080 Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total purchased gas cost Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457,030 2,506 454,524 232,620 221,904 (1,575) 40,393 179,936 65,594 2015 For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2017 vs. 2016 (In thousands, unless otherwise noted) $23,124 10,602 (3,892) $271,009 98,638 15,310 $315,726 89,498 21,972 427,196 (58) 427,254 211,908 215,346 (1,405) 36,574 177,367 65,655 384,957 562 384,395 194,855 189,540 (1,103) 33,154 155,283 55,480 29,834 2,564 27,270 20,712 6,558 (170) 3,819 2,569 (61) 2016 vs. 2015 $ 44,717 (9,140) 6,662 42,239 (620) 42,859 17,053 25,806 (302) 3,420 22,084 10,175 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $114,342 $111,712 $ 99,803 $ 2,630 $ 11,909 Gross pipeline transportation volumes — MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770,348 686,042 745,728 84,306 (59,686) Consolidated pipeline transportation volumes —MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596,179 505,303 528,068 90,876 (22,765) Fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 Net income for our pipeline and storage segment increased two percent, primarily due to a $27.3 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by a $20.7 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in gross profit primarily reflects a $24.6 million increase in rates from the approved 2016 GRIP filing and the rate case finalized in August 2017 and higher through system revenue of $8.3 million, largely related to higher basis spreads due to increased production in the Permian Basin and incremental throughput on the EnLink Pipeline, which was acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in gross profit of $2.3 million due to lower excess retention gas sales in the current year. As noted above, as a result of the annual rate case, we did not file our annual GRIP filing during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, which influ- enced this segment’s performance year-over-year. Operating expenses increased $20.7 million, primarily due to increased depreciation expense and property taxes associated with increased capital investments. Fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 Net income for our pipeline and storage segment increased 12 percent, primarily due to a $42.9 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by a $17.1 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in gross profit primarily reflects a $39.6 million increase in rates from the approved 2015 and 2016 GRIP filings. Addi- tionally, gross profit reflects a $3.6 million increase from the sale of excess retention gas, which was offset by a $4.0 million decrease in through-system volumes and lower storage and blending fees due to warmer weather in the current year compared to the prior year. Operating expenses increased $17.1 million, primarily due to increased levels of pipeline maintenance activ- ities to improve the safety and reliability of our system and increased property taxes and depreciation expense associated with increased capital investments. 33 Natural Gas Marketing Segment Through December 31, 2016, we were engaged in an unregulated natural gas marketing business, which was conducted by Atmos Energy Marketing (AEM). AEM’s primary business was to aggregate and purchase gas supply, arrange transportation and storage logistics and ultimately deliver gas to customers at competitive prices. As more fully described in Note 15, effective January 1, 2017, we sold all of the equity interests of AEM to CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. (CES), a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy Inc. As a result of the sale, Atmos Energy has fully exited the nonregulated natural gas marketing business. Accordingly, these operations have been reported as discontinued operations. Review of Financial and Operating Results Financial and operational highlights for our natural gas marketing segment for the fiscal years ended Sep- tember 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented below. 2017 Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $303,474 277,554 Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous income (expense) . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued 25,920 7,874 18,046 30 241 17,835 6,841 For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2015 2016 (In thousands, unless otherwise noted) $1,409,071 1,359,832 $(701,616) (690,564) 2017 vs. 2016 $1,005,090 968,118 36,972 26,184 10,788 109 2,604 8,293 3,731 49,239 30,076 19,163 (1,863) 1,707 15,593 6,141 2016 vs. 2015 $(403,981) (391,714) (12,267) (3,892) (8,375) 1,972 897 (7,300) (2,410) (4,890) — (11,052) (18,310) 7,258 (79) (2,363) 9,542 3,110 6,432 2,716 operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,994 4,562 9,452 Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,716 — — Net income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,710 $ 4,562 $ 9,452 $ 9,148 $ (4,890) Gross natural gas marketing delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf . . . . . . . . . 90,223 371,319 395,409 (281,096) (24,090) Consolidated natural gas marketing delivered gas sales volumes — MMcf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,646 325,537 336,792 (246,891) (11,255) Net physical position (Bcf) . . . . . . . . . . . — 18.1 12.4 (18.1) 5.7 Fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 The $9.1 million year-over-year increase in net income from discontinued operations primarily reflects the recognition of a net $6.6 million noncash gain from unwinding hedge accounting for certain of the natural gas marketing business’s financial positions in connection with the sale of AEM. Additionally we recognized a $2.7 million net gain on sale upon completion of the sale of AEM to CES in January 2017. Fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 Net income for our natural gas marketing segment decreased 52 percent compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to lower gross profit. 34 The $12.3 million year-over-year decrease in gross profit was primarily due to a decrease in asset opti- mization margins combined with a decrease in delivered gas margins. As a result of warmer weather, we modi- fied storage positions to meet customer needs throughout the winter and captured less favorable spread values on the related supply repurchases. Additionally, we experienced an increase in storage demand fees related primarily to higher park and loan activity. Delivered gas margins decreased primarily due to a three percent decrease in consolidated sales volumes due to warmer weather. However, lower net transportation costs and other variable costs driven by fewer deliveries resulted in per-unit margins of 12 cents per Mcf, which is consistent with fiscal 2015 per-unit margins. Operating expenses decreased $3.9 million, primarily due to lower administrative expenses. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. External debt financing is provided primarily through the issuance of long-term debt, a $1.5 billion commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with a total availability from third-party lenders of approximately $1.5 billion. The commercial paper program and credit facilities provide cost-effective, short-term financing until it can be replaced with a balance of long-term debt and equity financing that achieves the Company’s desired capital structure with an equity-to-capitalization ratio between 50% and 60%, inclusive of long-term and short- term debt. Additionally, we have various uncommitted trade credit lines with our gas suppliers that we utilize to purchase natural gas on a monthly basis. The liquidity provided by these sources is expected to be sufficient to fund the Company’s working capital needs and capital expenditure program for fiscal year 2018 and beyond. To support our capital market activities, we filed a registration statement with the SEC on March 28, 2016 to issue, from time to time, up to $2.5 billion in common stock and/or debt securities. At September 30, 2017, approximately $1.6 billion of securities remained available for issuance under the shelf registration statement, which expires March 26, 2019. The following table presents our capitalization as of September 30, 2017 and 2016: September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands, except percentages) Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long-term debt Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 447,745 3,067,045 3,898,666 6.0% $ 829,811 41.4% 2,438,779 52.6% 3,463,059 12.3% 36.2% 51.5% Total capitalization, including short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,413,456 100.0% $6,731,649 100.0% Cash Flows Our internally generated funds may change in the future due to a number of factors, some of which we cannot control. These factors include regulatory changes, the price for our services, the demand for such products and services, margin requirements resulting from significant changes in commodity prices, operational risks and other factors. 35 Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are presented below. 2017 For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2015 (In thousands) 2016 2017 vs. 2016 2016 vs. 2015 Total cash provided by (used in) Operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change in cash and cash equivalents . . . Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash and cash equivalents at end of $ 867,090 (1,056,306) 168,091 $ 794,990 (1,079,732) 303,623 $ 811,914 (956,602) 131,083 $ 72,100 23,426 (135,532) $ (16,924) (123,130) 172,540 (21,125) 18,881 (13,605) (40,006) 32,486 47,534 28,653 42,258 18,881 (13,605) period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 26,409 $ 47,534 $ 28,653 $ (21,125) $ 18,881 Cash flows from operating activities Year-over-year changes in our operating cash flows primarily are attributable to changes in net income, working capital changes, particularly within our distribution segment resulting from changes in the price of natu- ral gas and the timing of customer collections, payments for natural gas purchases and deferred gas cost recov- eries. Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, we generated operating cash flows of $867.1 million com- pared with $795.0 million in the prior year. The year-over-year increase primarily reflects the positive cash effect of successful rate case outcomes achieved in fiscal 2016. Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2016 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, we generated operating cash flows of $795.0 million com- pared with $811.9 million in fiscal 2015. The year-over-year decrease primarily reflects the timing of deferred gas cost recoveries. Cash flows from investing activities In recent years, we have used substantial amounts of cash to fund our ongoing construction program, which enables us to enhance the safety and reliability of the system used to provide distribution services to our existing customer base, expand our natural gas distribution services into new markets, enhance the integrity of our pipe- lines and, more recently, expand our intrastate pipeline network. Over the last three fiscal years, approximately 80 percent of our capital spending has been committed to improving the safety and reliability of our system. In executing our regulatory strategy, we target our capital spending on regulatory mechanisms that permit us to earn an adequate return timely on our investment without compromising the safety or reliability of our system. Substantially all of our regulated jurisdictions have rate tariffs that provide the opportunity to include in their rate base approved capital costs on a periodic basis without being required to file a rate case. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, we had $1,137.1 million in capital expenditures compared with $1,087.0 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and $963.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2017 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 The $50.1 million increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily reflects: ‰ $109.7 million increase due to planned increases in our distribution segment to replace vintage pipe. 36 ‰ $59.2 million decrease in spending in our pipeline and storage segment as a result of the substantial com- pletion of an APT project to improve the reliability of gas service to its local distribution company customers. Cash flows from investing activities for the year ended September 30, 2017 also include proceeds of $140.3 million received from the sale of AEM, proceeds received from the completion of a State of Texas use tax audit and $86.1 million used to purchase Enlink Pipeline in the first fiscal quarter of 2017. Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2016 compared with fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 The $123.4 million increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 primarily reflects: ‰ A $69.6 million increase in capital spending in our distribution segment, which reflects the repair and replacement of our transmission and distribution pipelines as part of a planned increase in safety and reli- ability investment in fiscal 2016, the installation and replacement of measurement and regulating equip- ment and other pipeline integrity projects. ‰ A $53.6 million increase in capital spending in our pipeline and storage segment, primarily related to the enhancement and fortification of two storage fields to ensure the reliability of gas service to our Mid-Tex Division. Cash flows from financing activities We generated a net amount of $168.1 million, $303.6 million and $131.1 million in cash from financing activities for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015. Our significant financing activities for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows: 2017 During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, our financing activities generated $168.1 million of cash compared with $303.6 million of cash generated in the prior year. The $135.5 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to the reduction in our short — term debt, partially offset by an increase in our long-term debt. During fiscal 2017, we completed approximately $975 million of debt and equity financing. On June 8, 2017, we completed a public offering of $500 million of 3.00% senior unsecured notes due 2027 and $250 million of 4.125% senior unsecured notes due 2044. The net proceeds of approximately $753 million were used to repay our $250 million 6.35% senior unsecured notes at maturity on June 15, 2017 and for general corpo- rate purposes, including the repayment of working capital borrowings pursuant to our commercial paper pro- gram. In October 2016, we issued $125 million of long-term debt under our three year, $200 million multi-draw term loan agreement. Additionally, during fiscal 2017 we issued 1.3 million shares under our ATM program and received net proceeds of $98.8 million. As of September 30, 2017, substantially all of shares under this program had been issued. 2016 During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, our financing activities generated $303.6 million of cash compared with $131.1 million of cash generated in fiscal 2015. The increase is primarily due to higher net short- term borrowings due to increased capital expenditures and period-over-period changes in working capital funding needs compared to the prior year, as well as proceeds received from the issuance of common stock under our ATM program in the third fiscal quarter of 2016. 2015 During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, our financing activities generated $131.1 million of cash compared with $68.2 million of cash generated in fiscal 2014. The increase is primarily due to timing between 37 short-term debt borrowings and repayments during fiscal 2015, proceeds from the issuance of $500 million unsecured 4.125% senior notes in October 2014 and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps. Partially offsetting these increases were the repayment of $500 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes at maturity on October 15, 2014, compared with short-term debt borrowings and repayments in fiscal 2014 and proceeds generated from the equity offering completed in February 2014. The following table shows the number of shares issued for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015: Shares issued: For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 Direct Stock Purchase Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retirement Savings Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At-the-Market (ATM) Equity Sales Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112,592 228,326 529,662 1,303,494 133,133 359,414 598,439 1,360,756 176,391 398,047 664,752 — Total shares issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,174,074 2,451,742 1,239,190 The decrease in the number of shares issued in fiscal 2017 compared with the number of shares issued in fiscal 2016 primarily reflects fewer shares issued under the Retirement Savings Plan and the LTIP. At Sep- tember 30, 2017, of the 11.2 million aggregate shares authorized for issuance from the LTIP, 2,035,861 shares remained available. The increase in the number of shares issued in fiscal 2016 compared with the number of shares issued in fiscal 2015 primarily reflects shares issued under the ATM program. Credit Ratings Our credit ratings directly affect our ability to obtain short-term and long-term financing, in addition to the cost of such financing. In determining our credit ratings, the rating agencies consider a number of quantitative factors, including debt to total capitalization, operating cash flow relative to outstanding debt, operating cash flow coverage of interest and pension liabilities and funding status. In addition, the rating agencies consider qual- itative factors such as consistency of our earnings over time, the quality of our management and business strat- egy, the risks associated with our regulated and nonregulated businesses and the regulatory environment in the states where we operate. Our debt is rated by two rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s Corporation (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s). As of September 30, 2017, both rating agencies maintained a stable outlook. Our current debt ratings are all considered investment grade and are as follows: S&P Moody’s Senior unsecured long-term debt A Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 P-1 A significant degradation in our operating performance or a significant reduction in our liquidity caused by more limited access to the private and public credit markets as a result of deteriorating global or national finan- cial and credit conditions could trigger a negative change in our ratings outlook or even a reduction in our credit ratings by the two credit rating agencies. This would mean more limited access to the private and public credit markets and an increase in the costs of such borrowings. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The highest investment grade credit rating is AAA for S&P and Aaa for Moody’s. The lowest investment grade credit rating is BBB- for S&P and Baa3 for Moody’s. Our credit ratings may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the rating agencies, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. There can be no assurance that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, or withdrawn entirely, by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. 38 Debt Covenants We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2017. Our debt covenants are described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments The following table provides information about contractual obligations and commercial commitments at September 30, 2017. Total Less than 1 year Payments Due by Period 1-3 years (In thousands) 3-5 years More than 5 years Contractual Obligations Long-term debt(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Short-term debt(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest charges(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating leases(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial instrument obligations(4) . . . . . . Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Uncertain tax positions(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,085,000 447,745 2,408,200 114,937 112,398 $ 447,745 152,676 17,170 322 — $ 575,000 — 243,823 31,875 112,076 $ — $2,510,000 — — 1,788,942 222,759 35,516 30,376 — — 312,295 23,719 33,798 — 52,499 23,719 50,223 — 175,775 — Total contractual obligations . . . . . . . . . $6,504,294 $651,711 $1,038,992 $303,358 $4,510,233 (1) See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. (2) Interest charges were calculated using the effective rate for each debt issuance. (3) See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. (4) Represents liabilities for natural gas commodity and interest rate financial instruments that were valued as of September 30, 2017. The ultimate settlement amounts of these remaining liabilities are unknown because they are subject to continuing market risk until the financial instruments are settled. (5) Represents expected contributions to our pension and postretirement benefit plans, which are discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. (6) Represents liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions claimed or expected to be claimed on tax returns. The amount does not include interest and penalties that may be applied to these positions. Our distribution and pipeline and storage segments maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily pur- chases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of individual contracts. Our Mid-Tex Division also maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at market and fixed prices. At September 30, 2017, we were committed to purchase 20.9 Bcf within one year, 37.9 Bcf within two to three years and 0.3 Bcf after three years under indexed contracts. Risk Management Activities We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and, periodically, to manage interest rate risk. In our distribution and pipeline and storage segments, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed phys- ical contracts and fixed financial contracts to reduce our exposure to unusually large winter-period gas price increases. Additionally, we manage interest rate risk by entering into financial instruments to effectively fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. Through December 31, 2016, we managed our exposure to the risk of natural gas price changes in our natural gas marketing segment by locking in our gross profit margin through a combination of storage and financial instruments, including futures, 39 over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Risk management assets and liabilities associated with our former natural gas marketing operations have been classified as held for sale at September 30, 2016. The change in fair value of these risk management assets and liabilities are included below. We record our financial instruments as a component of risk management assets and liabilities, which are classified as current or noncurrent based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instru- ment. Substantially all of our financial instruments are valued using external market quotes and indices. The following table shows the components of the change in fair value of our financial instruments for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contracts realized/settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair value of new contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other changes in value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(279,543) 49,187 (288) 121,485 Fair value of contracts at September 30, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Netting of cash collateral (109,159) — Cash collateral and fair value of contracts at September 30, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(109,159) The fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2017, is presented below by time period and fair value source: Source of Fair Value Prices actively quoted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prices based on models and other valuation methods . . . . $2,114 — $(111,273) — Total Fair Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,114 $(111,273) $— Fair Value of Contracts at September 30, 2017 Maturity in years Less than 1 1-3 4-5 (In thousands) $— — Greater than 5 $— — $— Total Fair Value $(109,159) — $(109,159) Employee Benefits Programs An important element of our total compensation program, and a significant component of our operation and maintenance expense, is the offering of various benefits programs to our employees. These programs include medical and dental insurance coverage and pension and postretirement programs. Medical and Dental Insurance We offer medical and dental insurance programs to substantially all of our employees. We believe these programs are compliant with all current regulatory provisions and are consistent with other programs in our industry. In recent years, we have endeavored to actively manage our health care costs through the introduction of a wellness strategy that is focused on helping employees to identify health risks and to manage these risks through improved lifestyle choices. Over the last five fiscal years, we have experienced annual medical and prescription inflation of approx- imately six percent. For fiscal 2018, we anticipate the medical and prescription drug inflation rate will continue at approximately six percent, primarily due to the inflation of health care costs. Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, our total net periodic pension and other benefits costs was $49.0 million, compared with $46.0 million and $58.9 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. These costs are recoverable through our rates. A portion of these costs is capitalized into our distribution rate base, and the remaining costs are recorded as a component of operation and maintenance expense. 40 Our fiscal 2017 costs were determined using a September 30, 2016 measurement date. At that date, interest and corporate bond rates utilized to determine our discount rates were lower than the interest and corporate bond rates as of September 30, 2015, the measurement date for our fiscal 2016 net periodic cost. Therefore, we decreased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2017 net periodic cost from 4.55 percent to 3.73 percent. We maintained the expected return on plan assets of 7.00 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2017 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset allocation. On October 20, 2016, the Society of Actuaries released its annually-updated mortality improvement scale for pension plans incorporat- ing new assumptions surrounding life expectancies in the United States. As of September 30, 2016, we updated our assumed mortality rates to incorporate the updated mortality table. As a result of the net impact of changes in these and other assumptions, our fiscal 2017 pension and postretirement medical costs were consistent with the prior year. Our fiscal 2016 costs were determined using a September 30, 2015 measurement date. At that date, interest and corporate bond rates utilized to determine our discount rates were higher than the interest and corporate bond rates as of September 30, 2014, the measurement date for our fiscal 2015 net periodic cost. Therefore, we increased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2016 net periodic cost from 4.43 percent to 4.55 percent. We lowered expected return on plan assets from 7.25 percent to 7.00 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2016 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset allocation. As a result of the net impact of these and other assumptions, our fiscal 2016 pension and postretirement medical costs were lower than in the prior year. Pension and Postretirement Plan Funding Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount that will at least equal the minimum amount required to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). However, additional voluntary contributions are made from time to time as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. In accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), we determined the funded status of our plans as of January 1, 2017. Based on this valuation, we contributed cash of $5.0 million, $15.0 million and $38.0 million to our pension plans during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015. Each contribution increased the level of our plan assets to achieve a desired PPA funding threshold. We contributed $13.7 million, $16.6 million and $20.0 million to our postretirement benefits plans for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The contributions represent the portion of the postretire- ment costs we are responsible for under the terms of our plan and minimum funding required by state regulatory commissions. Outlook for Fiscal 2018 and Beyond As of September 30, 2017, interest and corporate bond rates were higher than the rates as of September 30, 2016. Therefore, we increased the discount rate used to measure our fiscal 2018 net periodic cost from 3.73 percent to 3.89 percent. We lowered the expected return on plan assets to 6.75 percent in the determination of our fiscal 2018 net periodic pension cost based upon expected market returns for our targeted asset alloca- tion. On October 20, 2017, the Society of Actuaries released its annually-updated mortality improvement scale for pension plans incorporating new assumptions surrounding life expectancies in the United States. As of September 30, 2017, we updated our assumed mortality rates to incorporate the updated mortality table. As a result of the net impact of changes in these and other assumptions, we expect our fiscal 2018 net periodic pension cost to be approximately 25 percent lower than fiscal 2017. Based upon current market conditions, the current funded position of the plans and the funding requirements under the PPA, we do not anticipate a minimum required contribution for fiscal 2018. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels. The amount of this funding is contingent upon several factors, including the issuance of new mortality tables by the US Treasury Department used to establish plan funding requirements. With respect to our postretirement medical plans, we anticipate contributing between $10 million and $20 million during fiscal 2018. 41 Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual and expected return on plan assets could have a material effect on the amount of pension costs ultimately recognized. A 0.25 percent change in our discount rate would impact our pension and postretirement costs by approximately $3.0 million. A 0.25 percent change in our expected rate of return would impact our pension and postretirement costs by approximately $1.3 million. The projected liability, future funding requirements and the amount of expense or income recognized for each of our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans are subject to change, depending on the actuarial value of plan assets, and the determination of future benefit obligations as of each subsequent calculation date. These amounts are impacted by actual investment returns, changes in interest rates, changes in the demo- graphic composition of the participants in the plans and other actuarial assumptions. RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS Recent accounting developments and their impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. We are exposed to risks associated with commodity prices and interest rates. Commodity price risk is the potential loss that we may incur as a result of changes in the fair value of a particular instrument or commodity. Interest-rate risk results from our portfolio of debt and equity instruments that we issue to provide financing and liquidity for our business activities. We conduct risk management activities in our distribution, pipeline and storage segments, and formerly, in our natural gas marketing segment. In our distribution and pipeline and storage segments, we use a combination of physical storage, fixed physical contracts and fixed financial contracts to protect us and our customers against unusually large winter period gas price increases. In our natural gas marketing segment, we previously managed our exposure to the risk of natural gas price changes and locked in our gross profit margin through a combination of storage and financial instruments including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Our risk management activities and related accounting treatment are described in further detail in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our issuance of short-term commercial paper and our other short-term borrowings. Commodity Price Risk We purchase natural gas for our distribution operations. Substantially all of the costs of gas purchased for distribution operations are recovered from our customers through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Therefore, our distribution operations have limited commodity price risk exposure. Interest Rate Risk Our earnings are exposed to changes in short-term interest rates associated with our short-term commercial paper program and other short-term borrowings. We use a sensitivity analysis to estimate our short-term interest rate risk. For purposes of this analysis, we estimate our short-term interest rate risk as the difference between our actual interest expense for the period and estimated interest expense for the period assuming a hypothetical aver- age one percent increase in the interest rates associated with our short-term borrowings. Had interest rates asso- ciated with our short-term borrowings increased by an average of one percent, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $4.3 million during 2017. 42 ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Index to financial statements and financial statement schedule: Report of independent registered public accounting firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial statements and supplementary data: Consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2017 and 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statements of income for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statements of cash flow for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . Notes to consolidated financial statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial statement schedule for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 Page 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 99 Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 All other financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is not present, or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the financial statements and accompanying notes thereto. 43 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Atmos Energy Corporation We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atmos Energy Corporation as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2017. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assess- ing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the con- solidated financial position of Atmos Energy Corporation at September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial state- ment schedule, when considered in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the financial information set forth therein. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Atmos Energy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated November 13, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Dallas, Texas November 13, 2017 44 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSETS Less accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net property, plant and equipment Current assets Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,865 in 2017 and $11,056 in 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas stored underground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current assets of disposal group classified as held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill Noncurrent assets of disposal group classified as held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shareholders’ equity CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES Common stock, no par value (stated at $.005 per share); 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2017 — 106,104,634 shares, 2016 — 103,930,560 shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long-term debt Commitments and contingencies Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current maturities of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regulatory cost of removal obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pension and postretirement liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noncurrent liabilities of disposal group held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred credits and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands, except share data) $11,001,910 299,394 11,301,304 2,042,122 9,259,182 $ 9,958,627 183,879 10,142,506 1,873,900 8,268,606 26,409 47,534 222,263 184,653 — 106,321 539,646 730,132 — 220,636 $10,749,596 215,880 179,070 151,117 88,085 681,686 726,962 28,616 305,019 $10,010,889 $ 531 2,536,365 (105,254) 1,467,024 3,898,666 3,067,045 6,965,711 $ 520 2,388,027 (188,022) 1,262,534 3,463,059 2,188,779 5,651,838 233,050 — 332,648 447,745 — 1,013,443 1,878,699 485,420 230,588 — 175,735 $10,749,596 196,485 72,900 439,085 829,811 250,000 1,788,281 1,603,056 424,281 297,743 316 245,374 $10,010,889 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 45 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 2017 Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) 2015 Operating revenues Distribution segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage segment Intersegment eliminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,649,175 457,030 (346,470) $2,339,778 427,196 (312,326) $2,821,362 384,957 (279,334) Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,759,735 2,454,648 2,926,985 Purchased gas cost Distribution segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment eliminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,269,456 2,506 (346,426) 1,058,576 (58) (312,326) Total purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation and maintenance expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depreciation and amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes, other than income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous expense, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued operations, net of tax ($6,841, $3,731 and 925,536 546,798 319,448 240,407 727,546 (3,270) 120,182 604,094 221,383 382,711 746,192 538,592 290,791 221,843 657,230 (234) 114,812 542,184 196,642 345,542 1,574,447 562 (279,334) 1,295,675 516,406 272,408 230,264 612,232 (819) 116,241 495,172 189,549 305,623 $6,141) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,994 4,562 9,452 Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax ($10,215, $0 and $0) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,716 — — Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 396,421 $ 350,104 $ 315,075 Basic and diluted net income per share Income per share from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income per share from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income per share — basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ 3.60 0.13 3.73 $ $ 3.33 0.05 3.38 $ $ 3.00 0.09 3.09 Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,100 103,524 101,892 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 46 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of tax of $1,473, $(245) and $(1,559) Cash flow hedges: 2017 Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands) $350,104 2015 $315,075 $396,421 2,564 (465) (2,713) Amortization and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate agreements, net of tax of $43,238, $(56,723) and $(40,501) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,222 (98,682) (70,461) Net unrealized gains (losses) on commodity cash flow hedges, net of tax of $3,183, $13,078 and $(15,193) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,982 20,455 (23,763) Total other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82,768 (78,692) (96,937) Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $479,189 $271,412 $218,138 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 47 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common stock Number of Shares Stated Value Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Total (In thousands, except share and per share data) Balance, September 30, 2014 . . . . . . . 100,388,092 $502 $2,180,151 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — Other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . — Repurchase of equity awards . . . . . . . (7,984) Cash dividends ($1.56 per share) . . . . — Common stock issued: — — — — (1) — — (148,464) $ (12,393) $ 917,972 $3,086,232 315,075 (96,937) (7,985) (160,018) 315,075 — — (160,018) — (96,937) — — Direct stock purchase plan . . . . . . . . Retirement savings plan . . . . . . . . . . 1998 Long-term incentive plan . . . . . Employee stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176,391 398,047 664,752 1 2 3 10,625 20,324 2,263 — — 25,212 — — — — — — — — 10,626 20,326 2,266 25,212 Balance, September 30, 2015 . . . . . . . 101,478,818 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . Cash dividends ($1.68 per share) . . . . Cumulative effect of accounting 507 — — — — — — 2,230,591 — — — (109,330) — (78,692) — 1,073,029 350,104 — (175,126) 3,194,797 350,104 (78,692) (175,126) change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — — — Common stock issued: Public offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct stock purchase plan . . . . . . . . Retirement savings plan . . . . . . . . . . 1998 Long-term incentive plan . . . . . Employee stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,360,756 133,133 359,414 598,439 7 1 2 3 98,567 9,228 25,047 3,175 — — 21,419 — — — — — — 14,527 14,527 — — — — — 98,574 9,229 25,049 3,178 21,419 Balance, September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . 103,930,560 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive income . . . . . . Cash dividends ($1.80 per share) . . . . Common stock issued: 520 — — — — — — 2,388,027 — — — (188,022) — 82,768 — 1,262,534 396,421 — (191,931) 3,463,059 396,421 82,768 (191,931) Public offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct stock purchase plan . . . . . . . . Retirement savings plan . . . . . . . . . . 1998 Long-term incentive plan . . . . . Employee stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,303,494 112,592 228,326 529,662 6 1 1 3 98,749 8,970 17,551 3,698 — — 19,370 — — — — — — — — — — 98,755 8,971 17,552 3,701 19,370 Balance, September 30, 2017 . . . . . . . 106,104,634 $531 $2,536,365 $(105,254) $1,467,024 $3,898,666 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 48 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 2017 Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands) 2015 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 396,421 $ 350,104 $ 315,075 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gain on sale of discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Discontinued cash flow hedging for natural gas marketing commodity contracts . . . Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debt financing costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changes in assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Increase) decrease in gas stored underground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Increase) decrease in other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Increase) decrease in deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Increase (decrease) in deferred credits and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319,633 227,183 (12,931) (10,579) 14,064 6,469 97 (58,696) (35,126) 9,991 102,254 53,017 (78,651) (66,056) 293,096 193,556 — — 14,760 5,667 1,019 274,796 192,886 — — 15,980 5,922 359 (4,847) 20,577 (18,739) (24,860) (5,195) (44,482) 14,334 48,240 33,234 (11,951) 51,614 (59,112) 896 (56,025) Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867,090 794,990 811,914 CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchases of available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maturities of available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use tax refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,137,089) (1,086,950) (963,621) — — (29,527) 24,889 6,235 — 5,422 (86,128) 140,253 (53,597) 31,792 9,332 29,790 9,341 — — (32,551) 27,019 6,290 — 6,460 Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,056,306) (1,079,732) (956,602) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of premium/discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net proceeds from equity offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Issuance of common stock through stock purchase and employee retirement plans . . . Settlement of interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest rate agreements cash collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repayment of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchase of equity awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (382,066) 884,911 98,755 26,523 (36,996) 25,670 (250,000) (191,931) — (6,775) 371,884 98,574 34,278 261,232 — 499,060 — 30,952 — 13,364 — — (500,000) (175,126) (160,018) — (7,985) (5,522) (25,670) (317) Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,091 303,623 131,083 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (21,125) 47,534 18,881 28,653 (13,605) 42,258 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 26,409 $ 47,534 $ 28,653 CASH PAID (RECEIVED) DURING THE PERIOD FOR: Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 156,668 $ 5,264 $ 154,748 $ 151,334 1,802 7,794 $ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 49 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Nature of Business Atmos Energy Corporation (“Atmos Energy” or the “Company”) and our subsidiaries are engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and pipeline and storage businesses. Through our distribution business, we deliver natural gas through sales and transportation arrangements to over three million residential, commercial, public-authority and industrial customers through our six regulated distribution divisions in the service areas described below: Division Service Area Atmos Energy Colorado-Kansas Division . . . . . . . . Colorado, Kansas Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States Division . . . . Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia(1) Atmos Energy Louisiana Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area Atmos Energy Mississippi Division . . . . . . . . . . . . Mississippi Atmos Energy West Texas Division . . . . . . . . . . . . West Texas (1) Denotes location where we have more limited service areas. In addition, we transport natural gas for others through our distribution system. Our distribution business is subject to federal and state regulation and/or regulation by local authorities in each of the states in which our dis- tribution divisions operate. Our corporate headquarters and shared-services function are located in Dallas, Texas, and our customer support centers are located in Amarillo and Waco, Texas. Our pipeline and storage business, which is also subject to federal and state regulation, consists of the oper- ations of our Atmos Pipeline — Texas (APT) Division and our Louisiana natural gas transmission business. The APT division transports natural gas to our Mid-Tex Division, transports natural gas for third parties and manages five underground storage reservoirs in Texas. We also provide ancillary services customary to the pipeline industry including parking arrangements, lending and sales of inventory on hand. Our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana are comprised of a proprietary 21-mile pipeline located in New Orleans, Louisiana that is primarily used to aggregate gas supply for our distribution division in Louisiana under a long-term contract and on a more limited basis, to third parties. On October 29, 2016, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the Agreement) with CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CES) to sell all of the equity inter- ests of AEM. The transaction closed on January 3, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2017. AEM’s historical financial results are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued oper- ations, which required retrospective application to financial information for all periods presented. Please refer to Note 15 for further information. Our discontinued natural gas marketing segment was primarily engaged in an unregulated natural gas marketing business, conducted by Atmos Energy Marketing (AEM). The natural gas marketing business operated primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and was based in Houston, Texas. This business provided natural gas management and transportation services to municipalities, regulated distribution companies, including certain divisions of Atmos Energy, and third parties. 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atmos Energy Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated; however, we have not eliminated intercompany profits when such amounts are probable of recovery under the affiliates’ rate regulation process. Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles gen- erally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 50 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The most significant estimates include the allow- ance for doubtful accounts, unbilled revenues, contingency accruals, pension and postretirement obligations, deferred income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, risk management and trading activities, fair value meas- urements and the valuation of goodwill and other long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those esti- mates. Regulation — Our distribution and pipeline and storage operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service, maintenance of accounting records and various other matters by the respective regulatory author- ities in the states in which we operate. Our accounting policies recognize the financial effects of the ratemaking and accounting practices and policies of the various regulatory commissions. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require cost-based, rate-regulated entities that meet certain criteria to reflect the authorized recovery of costs due to regulatory decisions in their financial statements. As a result, certain costs that would normally be expensed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States are permit- ted to be capitalized or deferred on the balance sheet because it is probable they can be recovered through rates. Further, regulation may impact the period in which revenues or expenses are recognized. The amounts to be recovered or recognized are based upon historical experience and our understanding of the regulations. We record regulatory assets as a component of other current assets and deferred charges and other assets for costs that have been deferred for which future recovery through customer rates is considered probable. Regu- latory liabilities are recorded either on the face of the balance sheet or as a component of current liabilities, deferred income taxes or deferred credits and other liabilities when it is probable that revenues will be reduced for amounts that will be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Significant regulatory assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 included the following: Regulatory assets: Pension and postretirement benefit costs(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Infrastructure mechanisms(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred gas costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recoverable loss on reacquired debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred pipeline record collection costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APT annual adjustment mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate case costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) $ 26,826 46,437 65,714 11,208 11,692 2,160 2,629 10,132 $176,798 $132,348 42,719 45,184 13,761 7,336 7,171 1,539 13,565 $263,623 Regulatory liabilities: Regulatory cost of removal obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred gas costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asset retirement obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $521,330 15,559 12,827 5,941 $476,891 20,180 13,404 4,250 $555,657 $514,725 (1) Includes $9.4 million and $12.4 million of pension and postretirement expense deferred pursuant to regu- latory authorization. (2) Infrastructure mechanisms in Texas and Louisiana allow for the deferral of all eligible expenses associated with capital expenditures incurred pursuant to these rules, including the recording of interest on the deferred 51 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) expenses until the next rate proceeding (rate case or annual rate filing), at which time investment and costs would be recovered through base rates. Revenue recognition — Sales of natural gas to our distribution customers are billed on a monthly basis; however, the billing cycle periods for certain classes of customers do not necessarily coincide with accounting periods used for financial reporting purposes. We follow the revenue accrual method of accounting for dis- tribution segment revenues whereby revenues applicable to gas delivered to customers, but not yet billed under the cycle billing method, are estimated and accrued and the related costs are charged to expense. On occasion, we are permitted to implement new rates that have not been formally approved by our state regulatory commissions, which are subject to refund. As permitted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we recognize this revenue and establish a reserve for amounts that could be refunded based on our experience for the jurisdiction in which the rates were implemented. Rates established by regulatory authorities are adjusted for increases and decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms provide gas distribution companies a method of recovering purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case to address all of their non-gas costs. There is no gross profit generated through purchased gas cost adjust- ments, but they provide a dollar-for-dollar offset to increases or decreases in our distribution segment’s gas costs. The effects of these purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms are recorded as deferred gas costs on our balance sheet. Operating revenues for our pipeline and storage segment are recognized in the period in which volumes are transported. Discontinued operations — Accounting policies specific to our discontinued natural gas marketing business are described in more detail in Note 15. Cash and cash equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts — Accounts receivable arise from natural gas sales to residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and other customers. We establish an allowance for doubt- ful accounts to reduce the net receivable balance to the amount we reasonably expect to collect based on our col- lection experience or where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability or reluctance to pay. However, if circumstances change, our estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be affected. Circumstances which could affect our estimates include, but are not limited to, customer credit issues, the level of natural gas prices, customer deposits and general economic conditions. Accounts are written off once they are deemed to be uncollectible. Gas stored underground — Our gas stored underground is comprised of natural gas injected into storage to support the winter season withdrawals for our distribution operations. The average cost method is used for sub- stantially all of our distribution operations. Gas in storage that is retained as cushion gas to maintain reservoir pressure is classified as property, plant and equipment and is valued at cost. Property, plant and equipment — Regulated property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of contributions in aid of construction. The cost of additions includes direct construction costs, payroll related costs (taxes, pensions and other fringe benefits), administrative and general costs and an allowance for funds used during construction. The allowance for funds used during construction represents the estimated cost of funds used to finance the construction of major projects and are capitalized in the rate base for ratemaking purposes when the completed projects are placed in service. Interest expense of $2.5 million, $2.8 million and $2.3 million was capitalized in 2017, 2016 and 2015. Major renewals, including replacement pipe, and betterments that are recoverable under our regulatory rate base are capitalized while the costs of maintenance and repairs that are not recoverable through rates are charged 52 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) to expense as incurred. The costs of large projects are accumulated in construction in progress until the project is completed. When the project is completed, tested and placed in service, the balance is transferred to the regulated plant in service account included in the rate base and depreciation begins. Regulated property, plant and equipment is depreciated at various rates on a straight-line basis. These rates are approved by our regulatory commissions and are comprised of two components: one based on average serv- ice life and one based on cost of removal. Accordingly, we recognize our cost of removal expense as a compo- nent of depreciation expense. The related cost of removal accrual is reflected as a regulatory liability on the consolidated balance sheet. At the time property, plant and equipment is retired, removal expenses less salvage, are charged to the regulatory cost of removal accrual. The composite depreciation rate was 3.1 percent, 3.2 percent and 3.3 percent for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Other property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is generally computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes based upon estimated useful lives. Asset retirement obligations — We record a liability at fair value for an asset retirement obligation when the legal obligation to retire the asset has been incurred with an offsetting increase to the carrying value of the related asset. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time is recorded as an operating expense. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, we had asset retirement obligations of $12.8 million and $13.4 million. Additionally, we had $7.8 million and $8.1 million of asset retirement costs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment that will be depreciated over the remaining life of the underlying associated assets. We believe we have a legal obligation to retire our natural gas storage facilities. However, we have not recognized an asset retirement obligation associated with our storage facilities because we are not able to determine the settlement date of this obligation as we do not anticipate taking our storage facilities out of service permanently. Therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of this obligation. Impairment of long-lived assets — We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate that other long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected future cash flows. In the event the sum of the expected future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Goodwill — We annually evaluate our goodwill balances for impairment during our second fiscal quarter or more frequently as impairment indicators arise. We use a present value technique based on discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. These calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future cash flows, future growth rates and the discount rate. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Based on the assessment performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired. Marketable securities — As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, all of our marketable securities were classi- fied as available for sale. In accordance with the authoritative accounting standards, these securities are reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We regularly evaluate the performance of these investments on an individual investment by investment basis for impairment, taking into consideration the fund’s purpose, volatility and current returns. If a determination is made that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, the related investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Financial instruments and hedging activities — We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk in our distribution and pipeline and storage segments and to mitigate interest rate risk. The objectives and 53 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) strategies for using financial instruments have been tailored to our continuing business and are discussed in Note 13. We record all of our financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value ulti- mately recorded in the income statement. These financial instruments are reported as risk management assets and liabilities and are classified as current or noncurrent other assets or liabilities based upon the anticipated settle- ment date of the underlying financial instrument. We record the cash flow impact of our financial instruments in operating cash flows based upon their balance sheet classification. The timing of when changes in fair value of our financial instruments are recorded in the income statement depends on whether the financial instrument has been designated and qualifies as a part of a hedging relationship or if regulatory rulings require a different accounting treatment. Changes in fair value for financial instruments that do not meet one of these criteria are recognized in the income statement as they occur. Financial Instruments Associated with Commodity Price Risk In our distribution segment, the costs associated with and the gains and losses arising from the use of finan- cial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk are included in our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms in accordance with regulatory requirements. Therefore, changes in the fair value of these financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of deferred gas costs and recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recog- nized in revenue in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, there is no earnings impact on our distribution segment as a result of the use of financial instruments. Financial Instruments Associated with Interest Rate Risk We manage interest rate risk, primarily when we plan to issue new long-term debt or to refinance existing long-term debt. We currently manage this risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. We designate these finan- cial instruments as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements are executed. Unrealized gains and losses asso- ciated with the instruments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the instruments settle, the realized gain or loss is recorded as a component of accumulated other compre- hensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred is reported as a component of interest expense. As of September 30, 2017, no cash was required to be held in margin accounts. As of September 30, 2016, the Com- pany netted $25.7 million of cash held in margin accounts into its current and noncurrent risk management liabilities. Fair Value Measurements — We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pricing information in valuing our financial assets and liabilities and minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements. Fair-value estimates also consider our own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the counterparties involved. Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions and major energy companies. This concen- tration of counterparties may materially impact our exposure to credit risk resulting from market, economic or regulatory conditions. We seek to minimize counterparty credit risk through an evaluation of their financial con- dition and credit ratings and the use of collateral requirements under certain circumstances. Amounts reported at fair value are subject to potentially significant volatility based upon changes in market prices, including, but not limited to, the valuation of the portfolio of our contracts, maturity and settlement of these contracts and newly originated transactions and interest rates, each of which directly affect the estimated 54 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) fair value of our financial instruments. We believe the market prices and models used to value these financial instruments represent the best information available with respect to closing exchange and over-the-counter quota- tions, time value and volatility factors underlying the contracts. Values are adjusted to reflect the potential impact of an orderly liquidation of our positions over a reasonable period of time under then current market conditions. Authoritative accounting literature establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to meas- ure fair value based on observable and unobservable data. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The levels of the hierarchy are described below: Level 1 — Represents unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is defined as a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Prices actively quoted on national exchanges are used to determine the fair value of most of our assets and liabilities recorded on our bal- ance sheet at fair value. Our Level 1 measurements consist primarily of our available-for-sale securities. The Level 1 measurements for investments in the Atmos Energy Corporation Master Retirement Trust (the Master Trust), Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of exchange-traded financial instru- ments. Level 2 — Represents pricing inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability as of the reporting date. These inputs are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Our Level 2 measurements primarily consist of non-exchange-traded financial instruments, such as over-the-counter options and swaps and municipal and corporate bonds where market data for pricing is observable. The Level 2 measurements for investments in our Master Trust, Supple- mental Executive Benefit Plan and postretirement benefit plan consist primarily of non-exchange traded financial instruments such as corporate bonds and government securities. Level 3 — Represents generally unobservable pricing inputs which are developed based on the best information available, including our own internal data, in situations where there is little if any market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. The pricing inputs utilized reflect what a market participant would use to determine fair value. We currently do not have any Level 3 investments. Investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) using the prac- tical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy, as required by accounting guidance adopted in the current fiscal year and includes common collective trusts and investments in limited partnerships held by our pension plans, as described in Note 7. The adoption of the new accounting guidance did not have an impact on our results of operations, consolidated balance sheets or cash flows. Pension and other postretirement plans — Pension and other postretirement plan costs and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets, assumed discount rates and current demo- graphic and actuarial mortality data. Our measurement date is September 30. The assumed discount rate and the expected return are the assumptions that generally have the most significant impact on our pension costs and liabilities. The assumed discount rate, the assumed health care cost trend rate and assumed rates of retirement generally have the most significant impact on our postretirement plan costs and liabilities. The discount rate is utilized principally in calculating the actuarial present value of our pension and post- retirement obligation and net pension and postretirement cost. When establishing our discount rate, we consider high quality corporate bond rates based on bonds available in the marketplace that are suitable for settling the obligations, changes in those rates from the prior year and the implied discount rate that is derived from matching our projected benefit disbursements with currently available high quality corporate bonds. 55 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The expected long-term rate of return on assets is utilized in calculating the expected return on plan assets component of the annual pension and postretirement plan cost. We estimate the expected return on plan assets by evaluating expected bond returns, equity risk premiums, asset allocations, the effects of active plan management, the impact of periodic plan asset rebalancing and historical performance. We also consider the guidance from our investment advisors when making a final determination of our expected rate of return on assets. To the extent the actual rate of return on assets realized over the course of a year is greater than or less than the assumed rate, that year’s annual pension or postretirement plan cost is not affected. Rather, this gain or loss is amortized over the expected future working lifetime of the plan participants. The expected return on plan assets is then calculated by applying the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets to the market-related value of the plan assets. The market-related value of our plan assets represents the fair market value of the plan assets, adjusted to smooth out short-term market fluctuations over a five-year period. The use of this calculation will delay the impact of current market fluctuations on the pension expense for the period. We use a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses. Under this approach, net gains or losses in excess of ten percent of the larger of the pension benefit obligation or the market-related value of the assets are amortized on a straight-line basis. The period of amortization is the average remaining service of active partic- ipants who are expected to receive benefits under the plan. We estimate the assumed health care cost trend rate used in determining our annual postretirement net cost based upon our actual health care cost experience, the effects of recently enacted legislation and general economic conditions. Our assumed rate of retirement is estimated based upon the annual review of our partic- ipant census information as of the measurement date. Income taxes — Income taxes are determined based on the liability method, which results in income tax assets and liabilities arising from temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The liability method requires the effect of tax rate changes on accumulated deferred income taxes to be reflected in the period in which the rate change was enacted. The liability method also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance unless it is more likely than not that the assets will be realized. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense. We recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of miscellaneous income (expense) in accordance with regulatory requirements. Tax collections — We are allowed to recover from customers revenue-related taxes that are imposed upon us. We record such taxes as operating expenses and record the corresponding customer charges as operating revenues. However, we do collect and remit various other taxes on behalf of various governmental authorities, and we record these amounts in our consolidated balance sheets on a net basis. We do not collect income taxes from our customers on behalf of governmental authorities. Contingencies — In the normal course of business, we are confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to lawsuits, claims made by third parties or the action of various regulatory agencies. For such matters, we record liabilities when they are considered probable and estimable, based on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution of the liability in the future. Actual results may differ from estimates, depending on actual outcomes or changes in the facts or expect- ations surrounding each potential exposure. 56 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Recent accounting pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the new stan- dard, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or serv- ices. In doing so, companies may need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guid- ance. The new guidance will become effective for us October 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. As of September 30, 2017, we have substantially completed the evaluation of our sources of revenue and the impact that the new guidance will have on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and business processes. Based on this evaluation, we currently do not believe the implementation of the new guidance will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business processes. We expect to apply the new guidance using the modified retrospective method, which will result in a cumulative- effect adjustment on the date of adoption. We are currently still evaluating the impact to our financial statement presentation and related disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The amendments modify the accounting and presentation for certain financial liabilities and equity investments not consolidated or reported using the equity method. The guidance is effective for us beginning October 1, 2018; limited early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance. In February 2016, the FASB issued a comprehensive new leasing standard that will require lessees to recog- nize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The new standard will be effective for us beginning on October 1, 2019; early adop- tion is permitted. The new leasing standard requires modified retrospective transition, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which will require credit losses on most financial assets meas- ured at amortized cost and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected credit loss model. Under this model, entities will estimate credit losses over the entire contractual term of the instrument from the date of initial recognition of that instrument. In contrast, current U.S. GAAP is based on an incurred loss model that delays recognition of credit losses until it is probable the loss has been incurred. The new guidance also introduces a new impairment recognition model for available-for-sale securities that will require credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance account. The new standard will be effec- tive for us beginning on October 1, 2021; early adoption is permitted beginning on October 1, 2019. We are cur- rently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new standard will be effective for our fiscal 2021 goodwill impairment test; however, early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests per- formed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new standard will have no impact on our results of operations, consolidated balance sheets or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance related to the income statement presentation of the compo- nents of net periodic benefit cost for an entity’s sponsored defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The new guidance requires entities to disaggregate the current service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost from the other components and present it with other current compensation costs for related employ- ees in the statement of income. The other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented outside of 57 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) income from operations on the statement of income. In addition, only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is eligible for capitalization (e.g., as part of property, plant, and equipment). However, we believe that we will be allowed to defer the other components of net periodic benefit cost as a regulatory asset and that we will still be allowed to capitalize all components of net periodic benefit cost for ratemaking purposes. The new guidance is effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2018 and for interim periods within that year. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 3. Segment Information As of September 30, 2017, we manage and review our consolidated operations through the following three reportable segments: ‰ The distribution segment is primarily comprised of our regulated natural gas distribution and related sales operations in eight states. ‰ The pipeline and storage segment is comprised primarily of the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana. ‰ The natural gas marketing segment is comprised of our discontinued natural gas marketing business. Our determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which we manage sales of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. Although our dis- tribution segment operations are geographically dispersed, they are aggregated and reported as a single segment as each natural gas distribution division has similar economic characteristics. In addition, because the pipeline and storage operations of our Atmos Pipeline-Texas division and our natural gas transmission operations in Louisiana have similar economic characteristics, they have been aggregated and reported as a single segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We evaluate performance based on net income or loss of the respective operating units. We allocate interest and pension expense to the pipeline and storage segment; however, there is no debt or pension liability recorded on the pipeline and storage segment balance sheet. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated; however, we have not eliminated intercompany profits when such amounts are probable of recovery under the affiliates’ rate regulation process. Income taxes are allocated to each segment as if each segment’s taxes were calculated on a separate return basis. 58 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Summarized income statements and capital expenditures by segment are shown in the following tables. Distribution Pipeline and Storage Year Ended September 30, 2017 Natural Gas Marketing (In thousands) Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues from external parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,647,813 1,362 $111,922 345,108 $ — — $ (346,470) — $2,759,735 — Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation and maintenance expense . . . . Depreciation and amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes, other than income . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,649,175 1,269,456 413,077 249,071 211,929 505,642 (1,695) 79,789 424,158 155,789 268,369 — — 457,030 2,506 133,765 70,377 28,478 221,904 (1,575) 40,393 179,936 65,594 114,342 — — — — — — — — — — — — — 10,994 2,716 (346,470) (346,426) (44) 2,759,735 925,536 546,798 — — — — — — — — — — 319,448 240,407 727,546 (3,270) 120,182 604,094 221,383 382,711 10,994 2,716 Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 268,369 $114,342 $13,710 Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 849,950 $287,139 $ — $ $ — $ 396,421 — $1,137,089 59 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Distribution Pipeline and Storage Year Ended September 30, 2016 Natural Gas Marketing (In thousands) Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues from external parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,338,404 1,374 $116,244 310,952 $ — — $ (312,326) — $2,454,648 — Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation and maintenance expense . . . . Depreciation and amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes, other than income . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous income (expense) . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,339,778 1,058,576 407,982 234,109 197,227 441,884 1,171 78,238 364,817 130,987 233,830 427,196 (58) 130,610 56,682 24,616 215,346 (1,405) 36,574 177,367 65,655 111,712 — — Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 233,830 $111,712 Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 740,246 $346,383 — — — — — — — — — — — 4,562 $4,562 $ 321 (312,326) (312,326) — 2,454,648 746,192 538,592 — — — — — — — — — 290,791 221,843 657,230 (234) 114,812 542,184 196,642 345,542 4,562 $ $ — $ 350,104 — $1,086,950 60 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Distribution Pipeline and Storage Year Ended September 30, 2015 Natural Gas Marketing (In thousands) Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues from external parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,819,977 1,385 $107,008 277,949 $ — — $ (279,334) — $2,926,985 — Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation and maintenance expense . . . . Depreciation and amortization expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes, other than income . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous income (expense) . . . . . . . Interest charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,821,362 1,574,447 393,504 224,094 206,625 422,692 284 83,087 339,889 134,069 205,820 384,957 562 122,902 48,314 23,639 189,540 (1,103) 33,154 155,283 55,480 99,803 — — Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 205,820 $ 99,803 Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 670,620 $292,775 — — — — — — — — — — — 9,452 $9,452 $ 226 (279,334) (279,334) — 2,926,985 1,295,675 516,406 — — — — — — — — — 272,408 230,264 612,232 (819) 116,241 495,172 189,549 305,623 9,452 $ $ — $ 315,075 — $ 963,621 The following table summarizes our revenues from external parties by products and services for the fiscal year ended September 30. Distribution revenues: Gas sales revenues: 2017 2016 (In thousands) 2015 Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public authority and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,642,918 708,167 133,372 45,820 Total gas sales revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transportation revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other gas revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total distribution revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,530,277 86,332 31,204 2,647,813 111,922 $1,477,049 619,979 98,439 41,307 2,236,774 76,690 24,940 2,338,404 116,244 $1,761,689 772,187 131,034 53,401 2,718,311 72,340 29,326 2,819,977 107,008 Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,759,735 $2,454,648 $2,926,985 61 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Balance sheet information at September 30, 2017 and 2016 by segment is presented in the following tables. Distribution Pipeline and Storage September 30, 2017 Natural Gas Marketing (In thousands) Eliminations Consolidated Property, plant and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,849,517 $2,409,665 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,050,164 $2,621,601 Deferred income tax liabilities . . . . . $ 1,271,808 $ 606,891 $ $ $ — $ — $ 9,259,182 — $(1,922,169) $10,749,596 — $ — $ 1,878,699 Distribution Pipeline and Storage September 30, 2016 Natural Gas Marketing (In thousands) Eliminations Consolidated Property, plant and equipment, net(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,208,465 $2,060,141 $ — $ — $ 8,268,606 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,321,815 $2,283,864 $216,715 $(1,811,505) $10,010,889 Deferred income tax liabilities . . . . . $ 1,055,348 $ 543,390 $ 4,318 $ — $ 1,603,056 (1) Natural gas marketing had net property, plant and equipment of $11.9 million classified as assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2016. 4. Earnings Per Share Since we have non-vested share-based payments with a nonforfeitable right to dividends or dividend equiv- alents (referred to as participating securities), we are required to use the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The Company’s non-vested restricted stock units, granted under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, for which vesting is predicated solely on the passage of time, are considered to be participating securities. The calculation of earnings per share using the two-class method excludes income attributable to these participating securities from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those shares from the denominator. 62 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended September 30 are calculated as follows: Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: Income from continuing operations allocated to 2017 2015 2016 (In thousands, except per share data) $382,711 $345,542 $305,623 participating securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475 538 607 Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $382,236 $345,004 $305,016 Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding . . . . . . 106,100 103,524 101,892 Income from continuing operations per share — Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3.60 $ 3.33 $ 3.00 Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share from discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued operations available to common $ 13,710 $ 4,562 $ 9,452 12 8 19 shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,698 $ 4,554 $ 9,433 Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding . . . . . . 106,100 103,524 101,892 Income from discontinued operations per share — Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Income per share — Basic and Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ 0.13 3.73 $ $ 0.05 3.38 $ $ 0.09 3.09 63 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 5. Debt Long-term debt Long-term debt at September 30, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following: 2017 2016 (In thousands) Unsecured 6.35% Senior Notes, due June 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 8.50% Senior Notes, due March 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 3.00% Senior Notes, due 2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 5.95% Senior Notes, due 2034 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 5.50% Senior Notes, due 2041 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 4.15% Senior Notes, due 2043 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 4.125% Senior Notes, due 2044 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium term Series A notes, 1995-1, 6.67%, due 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unsecured 6.75% Debentures, due 2028 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floating-rate term loan, due June 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — 450,000 500,000 200,000 400,000 500,000 750,000 10,000 150,000 125,000 250,000 450,000 — 200,000 400,000 500,000 500,000 10,000 150,000 — Total long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,085,000 2,460,000 Less: Original issue (premium) discount on unsecured senior notes and debentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debt issuance cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4,384) 22,339 — 4,270 16,951 250,000 $3,067,045 $2,188,779 Maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thereafter $ — 575,000 — — — 2,510,000 $3,085,000 On June 8, 2017, we completed a public offering of $500 million of 3.00% senior notes due 2027 and $250 million of 4.125% senior notes due 2044. The effective rate of these notes is 3.12% and 4.40%, after giving effect to the offering costs and the settlement of the associated forward starting interest rate swaps. The net pro- ceeds, excluding the loss on the settlement of the interest rate swaps of $37 million, of approximately $753 mil- lion were used to repay our $250 million 6.35% senior unsecured notes at maturity on June 15, 2017 and for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of working capital borrowings pursuant to our commercial paper program. On September 22, 2016, we entered into a three year, $200 million multi-draw term loan agreement with a syndicate of three lenders. Borrowings under the term loan may be made in increments of $1.0 million or higher, may be repaid at any time during the loan period and will bear interest at a rate dependent upon our credit ratings at the time of such borrowing and based, at our election, on a base rate or LIBOR for the applicable interest period. The term loan was used to refinance existing indebtedness and for working capital, capital expenditures 64 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) and other general corporate purposes. At September 30, 2017, there was $125.0 million of borrowings out- standing under the term loan. At September 30, 2016, there were no borrowings outstanding. We utilize short-term debt to provide cost-effective, short-term financing until it can be replaced with a balance of long-term debt and equity financing that achieves the Company’s desired capital structure with an equity-to-capitalization ratio between 50% and 60%, inclusive of long-term and short-term debt. Our short-term borrowing requirements are affected primarily by the seasonal nature of the natural gas business. Changes in the price of natural gas and the amount of natural gas we need to supply our customers’ needs could significantly affect our borrowing requirements. Our short-term borrowings typically reach their highest levels in the winter months. Currently, our short-term borrowing requirements are satisfied through a combination of a $1.5 billion commercial paper program and three committed revolving credit facilities with third-party lenders that provide approximately $1.5 billion of total working capital funding. The primary source of our funding is our commercial paper program, which is supported by a five-year unsecured $1.5 billion credit facility that expires September 25, 2021. The facility bears interest at a base rate or at a LIBOR-based rate for the applicable interest period, plus a spread ranging from zero percent to 1.25 percent, based on the Company’s credit ratings. Additionally, the facility contains a $250 million accordion feature, which provides the opportunity to increase the total committed loan to $1.75 billion. This facility was amended in October 2016 to increase the total availability from $1.25 billion. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, there was $447.7 million and $829.8 million outstanding under our commercial paper program with weighted average interest rates of 1.25% and 0.81%, with average maturities of less than two months. Additionally, we have a $25 million unsecured facility, which was renewed on April 1, 2017, and a $10 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which was renewed on September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2017, there were no borrowings outstanding under either of these facilities; however, outstanding letters of credit reduced the total amount available to us under our $10 million unsecured revolving facility to $4.2 million. The availability of funds under these credit facilities is subject to conditions specified in the respective credit agreements, all of which we currently satisfy. These conditions include our compliance with financial covenants and the continued accuracy of representations and warranties contained in these agreements. We are required by the financial covenants in our five-year unsecured facility to maintain, at the end of each fiscal quar- ter, a ratio of total debt to total capitalization of no greater than 70 percent. At September 30, 2017, our total- debt-to-total-capitalization ratio, as defined, was 48 percent. In addition, both the interest margin over the Eurodollar rate and the fee that we pay on unused amounts under each of these facilities are subject to adjustment depending upon our credit ratings. These credit facilities and our public indentures contain usual and customary covenants for our business, including covenants substantially limiting liens, substantial asset sales and mergers. Additionally, our public debt indentures relating to our senior notes and debentures, as well as certain of our revolving credit agreements, each contain a default provision that is triggered if outstanding indebtedness arising out of any other credit agreements in amounts ranging from in excess of $15 million to in excess of $100 million becomes due by acceleration or is not paid at maturity. We were in compliance with all of our debt covenants as of September 30, 2017. If we were unable to comply with our debt covenants, we would likely be required to repay our outstanding balances on demand, provide additional collateral or take other corrective actions. 6. Shareholders’ Equity Shelf Registration On March 28, 2016, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that originally permitted us to issue, from time to time, up to $2.5 billion in common stock and/or debt securities, which replaced our registration statement that expired on March 28, 2016. At September 30, 2017, $1.6 billion of securities remain available for issuance under the shelf registration statement. 65 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) At-the-Market Equity Sales Program On March 28, 2016, we entered into an at-the-market (ATM) equity distribution agreement (the Agreement) with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. in their capacity as agents and/or as principals (Agents). Under the terms of the Agreement, we were permitted to issue and sell, through any of the Agents, shares of our common stock, up to an aggregate offering price of $200 million, through the period ended March 28, 2019. During fiscal 2017, we sold 1,303,494 shares of com- mon stock under the ATM program for $100.0 million and received net proceeds of $98.8 million. During fiscal 2016, we sold 1,360,756 shares of common stock under the ATM program for $100.0 million and received net proceeds of $98.6 million. The shares were issued pursuant to our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. At September 30, 2017, substantially all shares had been issued under our ATM program. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan In August 1998, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which became effective in October 1998 after approval by our shareholders. The LTIP is a comprehensive, long- term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our subsidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best available personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire our common stock. As of September 30, 2015, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 8.7 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. In February 2016, our shareholders voted to increase the number of authorized LTIP shares by 2.5 million shares and to extend the term of the plan for an additional five years, through September 2021. On March 29, 2016, we filed with the SEC a registration state- ment on Form S-8 to register the additional 2.5 million shares; we also listed such shares with the New York Stock Exchange. As of September 30, 2017, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 11.2 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. 66 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) We record deferred gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to available-for-sale securities, interest rate agreement cash flow hedges and commodity contract cash flow hedges. Deferred gains (losses) for our available-for-sale securities and commodity contract cash flow hedges are recog- nized in earnings upon settlement, while deferred gains (losses) related to our interest rate agreement cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following tables provide the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of the related tax effects allocated to each compo- nent of other comprehensive income. September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive income (loss) before Available- for-Sale Securities Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges (In thousands) Total $4,484 $(187,524) $(4,982) $(188,022) reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,502 74,560 9,847 86,909 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Net current-period other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . 2,564 662 75,222 (4,865) 4,982 (4,141) 82,768 September 30, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,048 $(112,302) $ — $(105,254) September 30, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other comprehensive income (loss) before Available- for-Sale Securities Interest Rate Agreement Cash Flow Hedges Commodity Contracts Cash Flow Hedges (In thousands) Total $4,949 $ (88,842) $(25,437) $(109,330) reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (263) (99,029) (11,662) (110,954) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . (202) (465) 347 (98,682) 32,117 20,455 32,262 (78,692) September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,484 $(187,524) $ (4,982) $(188,022) 67 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The following tables detail reclassifications out of AOCI for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Amounts in parentheses below indicate decreases to net income in the statement of income. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash flow hedges Interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income $ $ (97) (97) 35 (62) $(1,043) 7,967 6,924 (2,721) $ 4,203 $ 4,141 Operation and maintenance expense Total before tax Tax benefit Net of tax Interest charges Purchased gas cost(1) Total before tax Tax expense Net of tax Net of tax Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2016 Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income Available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 318 Operation and maintenance expense Cash flow hedges Interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total reclassifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 (116) Total before tax Tax expense $ 202 Net of tax $ (546) (52,651) (53,197) 20,733 $(32,464) $(32,262) Interest charges Purchased gas cost(1) Total before tax Tax benefit Net of tax Net of tax (1) Amounts are presented as part of income from discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income. 7. Retirement and Post-Retirement Employee Benefit Plans We have both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit plans that together cover most of our employees. We also maintain post-retirement plans that provide health care benefits to retired employees. 68 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Finally, we sponsor a defined contribution plan that cover substantially all employees. These plans are discussed in further detail below. As a rate regulated entity, we generally recover our pension costs in our rates over a period of up to 15 years. The amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost that have been recorded as regulatory assets are as follows: Defined Benefits Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans Postretirement Plans Total (In thousands) $ (1,278) 62,388 $ 61,110 $ (1,509) 127,028 $125,519 $ — 42,170 $42,170 $ — 51,558 $51,558 $ 1,309 (87,196) $ 31 17,362 $(85,887) $ 17,393 $ (2,880) (54,298) $ (4,389) 124,288 $(57,178) $119,899 September 30, 2017 Unrecognized prior service credit . . . . Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss . . . . September 30, 2016 Unrecognized prior service credit . . . . Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss . . . . Defined Benefit Plans Employee Pension Plan As of September 30, 2017, we maintained one defined benefit plan, the Atmos Energy Corporation Pension Account Plan (the Plan). The assets of the Plan are held within the Atmos Energy Corporation Master Retirement Trust (the Master Trust). The Plan is a cash balance pension plan that was established effective January 1999 and covers most of the employees of Atmos Energy that were hired before September 30, 2010. The plan was closed to new participants effective October 1, 2010. Opening account balances were established for participants as of January 1999 equal to the present value of their respective accrued benefits under the pension plans which were previously in effect as of December 31, 1998. The Plan credits an allocation to each participant’s account at the end of each year according to a formula based on the participant’s age, service and total pay (excluding incentive pay). In addition, at the end of each year, a participant’s account is credited with interest on the employee’s prior year account balance. Participants are fully vested in their account balances after three years of service and may choose to receive their account balances as a lump sum or an annuity. Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including the funding requirements under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). However, additional voluntary contributions are made from time to time as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. During fiscal 2017 and 2016 we contributed $5.0 million and $15.0 million in cash to the Plan to achieve a desired level of funding while maximizing the tax deductibility of this payment. Based upon market conditions at September 30, 2017, the current funded position of the Plan and the funding requirements under the PPA, we do not anticipate a minimum required contribution for fiscal 2018. However, we may consider whether a voluntary contribution is prudent to maintain certain funding levels. We make investment decisions and evaluate performance of the assets in the Master Trust on a medium- term horizon of at least three to five years. We also consider our current financial status when making recom- 69 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) mendations and decisions regarding the Master Trust’s assets. Finally, we strive to ensure the Master Trust’s assets are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk and meet the Master Trust’s long-term asset investment policy adopted by the Board of Directors. To achieve these objectives, we invest the Master Trust’s assets in equity securities, fixed income securities, interests in commingled pension trust funds, other investment assets and cash and cash equivalents. Investments in equity securities are diversified among the market’s various subsectors in an effort to diversify risk and max- imize returns. Fixed income securities are invested in investment grade securities. Cash equivalents are invested in securities that either are short term (less than 180 days) or readily convertible to cash with modest risk. The following table presents asset allocation information for the Master Trust as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Security Class Targeted Allocation Range Domestic equities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International equities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fixed income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Company stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35%-55% 10%-20% 5%-30% 0%-15% 0%-20% Actual Allocation September 30 2016 2017 43.9% 40.5% 17.2% 15.5% 10.6% 11.2% 11.8% 15.1% 16.5% 17.7% At September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Plan held 716,700 and 956,700 shares of our common stock which represented 11.8 percent and 15.1 percent of total Plan assets. These shares generated dividend income for the Plan of approximately $1.7 million and $1.8 million during fiscal 2017 and 2016. Our employee pension plan expenses and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by numerous assumptions and estimates including the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and assumed discount rates and demographic data. We review the estimates and assumptions underlying our employee pension plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date. The develop- ment of our assumptions is fully described in our significant accounting policies in Note 2. The actuarial assump- tions used to determine the pension liability for the Plan was determined as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the Plan was determined as of Sep- tember 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014. On October 20, 2017, the Society of Actuaries released its annually-updated mortality improvement scale for pension plans incorporating new assumptions surrounding life expectancies in the United States. As of September 30, 2017, we updated our assumed mortality rates to incorporate the updated mortality table. Additional assumptions are presented in the following table: Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.89% 3.73% 3.73% 4.55% 4.43% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 6.75% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 7.25% Pension Liability 2017 2016 2017 Pension Cost 2016 2015 70 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The following table presents the Plan’s accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2017 and 2016: 2017 2016 (In thousands) Accumulated benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $505,355 $516,924 Change in projected benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $545,480 18,109 20,443 (16,347) (34,230) $508,599 16,419 23,193 41,847 (44,578) Benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533,455 545,480 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 473,950 63,524 5,000 (34,230) 450,932 52,596 15,000 (44,578) Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508,244 473,950 Reconciliation: Funded status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (25,211) — — (71,530) — — Accrued pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (25,211) $ (71,530) (1) Includes $12.8 million of one-time payments to eligible deferred vested participants who elected to receive a lump-sum payout of their pension benefits during fiscal 2016. Net periodic pension cost for the Plan for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components: Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 (In thousands) Components of net periodic pension cost: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost Expected return on assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of prior service credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recognized actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 18,109 20,443 (27,975) (231) 12,744 $ 16,419 23,193 (27,522) (226) 10,693 $ 16,231 21,850 (25,744) (192) 13,322 Net periodic pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 23,090 $ 22,557 $ 25,467 The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. As required by authoritative accounting literature, assets are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Plan are fully described in Note 2. Investments in our common/ collective trusts and limited partnerships that are measured at net asset value per share equivalent are not classi- fied in the fair value hierarchy. The net asset value amounts presented are intended to reconcile the fair value 71 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) hierarchy to the total investments. In addition to the assets shown below, the Plan had net accounts receivable of $0.6 million and $2.6 million at September 30, 2017 and 2016 which materially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets. Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Investments: Common stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Government securities: Mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. treasuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $164,910 — 64,102 — 5,129 — $ — 9,588 — 15,664 822 32,314 Total investments at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $234,141 $58,388 $ Investments measured at net asset value: Common/collective trusts(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Limited partnerships(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total investments at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $164,910 9,588 — 64,102 — — — — — 15,664 5,951 32,314 292,529 150,976 64,135 $507,640 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Investments: Common stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Government securities: Mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. treasuries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $157,111 — 87,396 — 4,704 — $ — 11,522 — 15,223 863 31,929 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $249,211 $59,537 $ Investments measured at net asset value: Common/collective trusts(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Limited partnerships(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total investments at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $157,111 11,522 — 87,396 — — — — — 15,223 5,567 31,929 308,748 105,124 57,438 $471,310 (1) The fair value of our common/collective trusts and limited partnerships are measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. There are no redemption restrictions, redemption notice periods or unfunded commitments for these investments. The redemption frequency is daily. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans We have three nonqualified supplemental plans which provide additional pension, disability and death bene- fits to our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company. 72 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The first plan is referred to as the Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan (SEBP) and covers our officers, division presidents and certain other employees of the Company who were employed on or before August 12, 1998. The SEBP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 75 percent of covered com- pensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the bene- fits under the SEBP. In August 1998, we adopted the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) (formerly known as the Performance-Based Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan), which covers all officers or division presidents selected to participate in the plan between August 12, 1998 and August 5, 2009 and any corporate officer who was appointed to the Management Committee through December 31, 2016. The SERP is a defined benefit arrangement which provides a benefit equal to 60 percent of covered compensation under which benefits paid from the underlying qualified defined benefit plan are an offset to the benefits under the SERP. Effective August 5, 2009, we adopted a new defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the 2009 SERP), for corporate officers, division presidents or any other employees selected at the discretion of the Board. Under the 2009 SERP, a nominal account has been established for each participant, to which the Com- pany contributes at the end of each calendar year an amount equal to ten percent (25 percent for members of the Management Committee appointed on or after January 1, 2017) of the total of each participant’s base salary and cash incentive compensation earned during each prior calendar year, beginning December 31, 2009. The benefits vest after three years of service and attainment of age 55 and earn interest credits at the same annual rate as the Company’s Pension Account Plan (currently 4.69%). Due to the departure of certain executives in February 2017, we recognized a settlement loss of $2.7 million associated with our SEBP and made an $8.6 million benefit payment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Similar to our employee pension plans, we review the estimates and assumptions underlying our supple- mental plans annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans were determined as of September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014. These assumptions are presented in the following table: Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.89% 3.73% 3.73% 4.55% 4.43% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% 3.50% Pension Liability 2017 2016 2017 Pension Cost 2016 2015 73 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The following table presents the supplemental plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obli- gation and funded status as of September 30, 2017 and 2016: 2017 2016 (In thousands) Accumulated benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 130,070 $ 137,616 Change in projected benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 142,574 2,756 4,744 (2,452) (4,588) (8,554) $ 122,393 2,371 5,185 17,229 (4,604) — Benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134,480 142,574 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employer contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . — 13,142 (4,588) (8,554) — — 4,604 (4,604) — — Reconciliation: Funded status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (134,480) — — (142,574) — — Accrued pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(134,480) $(142,574) Assets for the supplemental plans are held in separate rabbi trusts. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, assets held in the rabbi trusts consisted of available-for-sale securities of $42.9 million and $41.3 million, which are included in our fair value disclosures in Note 14. Net periodic pension cost for the supplemental plans for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 is recorded as operating expense and included the following components: Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 (In thousands) Components of net periodic pension cost: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of transition asset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recognized actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,756 4,744 — — 4,251 2,685 $ 2,371 5,185 — — 2,586 — $ 3,971 4,943 — — 2,343 — Net periodic pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,436 $10,142 $11,257 74 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Estimated Future Benefit Payments The following benefit payments for our defined benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years: Pension Plan Supplemental Plans (In thousands) 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023-2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 32,173 32,903 34,314 36,487 37,857 204,690 $18,411 23,000 4,701 4,609 17,520 48,415 Postretirement Benefits We sponsor the Retiree Medical Plan for Retirees and Disabled Employees of Atmos Energy Corporation (the Atmos Retiree Medical Plan). This plan provides medical and prescription drug protection to all qualified participants based on their date of retirement. The Atmos Retiree Medical Plan provides different levels of bene- fits depending on the level of coverage chosen by the participants and the terms of predecessor plans; however, we generally pay 80 percent of the projected net claims and administrative costs and participants pay the remain- ing 20 percent of this cost. Effective January 1, 2015, for employees who had not met the participation require- ments by September 30, 2009, the contribution rates for the Company will be limited to a three percent cost increase in claims and administrative costs each year, with the participant responsible for the additional costs. Generally, our funding policy is to contribute annually an amount in accordance with the requirements of ERISA. However, additional voluntary contributions are made annually as considered necessary. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. We expect to contribute between $10 million and $20 million to our postretirement benefits plan during fiscal 2018. We maintain a formal investment policy with respect to the assets in our postretirement benefits plan to ensure the assets funding the postretirement benefit plan are appropriately invested to maintain an acceptable level of risk. We also consider our current financial status when making recommendations and decisions regard- ing the postretirement benefits plan. We currently invest the assets funding our postretirement benefit plan in diversified investment funds which consist of common stocks, preferred stocks and fixed income securities. The diversified investment funds may invest up to 75 percent of assets in common stocks and convertible securities. The following table presents asset allocation information for the postretirement benefit plan assets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Security Class Actual Allocation September 30 2016 2017 Diversified investment funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97.5% 97.2% 2.5% 2.8% Similar to our employee pension and supplemental plans, we review the estimates and assumptions under- lying our postretirement benefit plan annually based upon a September 30 measurement date using the same techniques as our employee pension plans. The actuarial assumptions used to determine the pension liability for our postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the actuarial assumptions used 75 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) to determine the net periodic pension cost for the postretirement plan were determined as of September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The assumptions are presented in the following table: Postretirement Liability 2017 2016 Postretirement Cost 2016 2017 2015 Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Initial trend rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ultimate trend rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ultimate trend reached in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.89% 3.73% 3.73% 4.55% 4.43% 4.29% 4.45% 4.45% 4.45% 4.60% 7.00% 7.50% 7.50% 7.50% 7.50% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 2022 2020 2021 2022 2022 The following table presents the postretirement plan’s benefit obligation and funded status as of Sep- tember 30, 2017 and 2016: 2017 2016 (In thousands) Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actuarial gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plan amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $279,222 12,436 10,679 4,936 (21,750) (13,970) 2,545 $ 267,179 10,823 12,424 4,289 (1,052) (14,441) — Benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274,098 279,222 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158,977 21,160 13,687 4,936 (13,970) 138,009 14,528 16,592 4,289 (14,441) Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184,790 158,977 Reconciliation: Funded status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized transition obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (89,308) — — — (120,245) — — — Accrued postretirement cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (89,308) $(120,245) 76 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Net periodic postretirement cost for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 is recorded as operating expense and included the components presented below. Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 (In thousands) Components of net periodic postretirement cost: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service cost Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expected return on assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of transition obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of prior service credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recognized actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,436 10,679 (7,185) — (1,644) (2,827) $10,823 12,424 (6,264) 82 (1,644) (2,167) $15,583 14,385 (6,431) 272 (1,644) — Net periodic postretirement cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,459 $13,254 $22,165 Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects on the lat- est actuarial calculations: One-Percentage Point Increase One-Percentage Point Decrease (In thousands) Effect on total service and interest cost components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect on postretirement benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,526 $41,259 $ (3,584) $(33,863) We are currently recovering other postretirement benefits costs through our regulated rates in substantially all of our service areas under accrual accounting as prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Other postretirement benefits costs have been specifically addressed in rate orders in each juris- diction served by our Kentucky/Mid-States, West Texas, Mid-Tex and Mississippi Divisions as well as our Kansas jurisdiction and Atmos Pipeline — Texas or have been included in a rate case and not disallowed. Man- agement believes that this accounting method is appropriate and will continue to seek rate recovery of accrual- based expenses in its ratemaking jurisdictions that have not yet approved the recovery of these expenses. The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Retiree Medical Plan’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Retiree Medical Plan are fully described in Note 2. Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Investments: Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $4,534 — 180,256 Total investments at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180,256 $4,534 $ $ — $ — 4,534 180,256 — $184,790 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Investments: Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $4,470 — 154,507 Total investments at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $154,507 $4,470 $ $ — $ — 4,470 154,507 — $158,977 77 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Estimated Future Benefit Payments The following benefit payments paid by us, retirees and prescription drug subsidy payments for our post- retirement benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the fol- lowing fiscal years. Company payments for fiscal 2017 include contributions to our postretirement plan trusts. Company Payments Retiree Payments Subsidy Payments Total Postretirement Benefits 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023-2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,387 12,140 12,658 13,571 14,523 85,118 (In thousands) $— — — — — — $ 3,392 3,751 4,171 4,704 5,282 35,165 $ 18,779 15,891 16,829 18,275 19,805 120,283 Defined Contribution Plan The Atmos Energy Corporation Retirement Savings Plan and Trust (the Retirement Savings Plan) covers substantially all employees and is subject to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2007, employees automatically become participants of the Retirement Savings Plan on the date of employment. Participants may elect a salary reduction up to a maximum of 65 percent of eligible compensation, as defined by the Plan, not to exceed the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. New participants are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a salary reduction amount of four percent of eligible compensation, from which they may opt out. We match 100 percent of a participant’s contributions, limited to four percent of the participant’s salary. Participants are eligible to receive matching contributions after complet- ing one year of service, in which they are immediately vested. Participants are also permitted to take out a loan against their accounts subject to certain restrictions. Employees hired on or after October 1, 2010 participate in the enhanced plan in which participants receive a fixed annual contribution of four percent of eligible earnings to their Retirement Savings Plan account. Participants will continue to be eligible for company matching con- tributions of up to four percent of their eligible earnings and will be fully vested in the fixed annual contribution after three years of service. Prior to December 31, 2015, we also maintained the AEH 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan, which covered substantially all AEH employees. Matching and fixed annual contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan and the AEH 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan are expensed as incurred and amounted to $15.4 million, $15.8 million and $14.8 million for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Retirement Savings Plan held 3.7 percent and 4.2 percent of our outstanding common stock. 8. Stock and Other Compensation Plans Stock-Based Compensation Plans Total stock-based compensation cost was $23.1 million, $24.6 million and $27.5 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Of this amount, $9.0 million, $9.8 million and $11.5 million was capitalized. Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation were $4.4 million, $5.0 million and $4.7 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which provides a long-term incentive compensation plan providing for discretionary awards of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted 78 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) stock units and stock units to certain employees and non-employee directors of the Company and our sub- sidiaries. The objectives of this plan include attracting and retaining the best available personnel, providing for additional performance incentives and promoting our success by providing employees with the opportunity to acquire common stock. As of September 30, 2017, we were authorized to grant awards for up to a maximum of 11.2 million shares of common stock under this plan subject to certain adjustment provisions. As of September 30, 2017, non-qualified stock options, bonus stock, time-lapse restricted stock, time-lapse restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units and stock units had been issued under this plan, and 2.0 million shares were available for future issuance. Restricted Stock Units Award Grants As noted above, the LTIP provides for discretionary awards of restricted stock units to help attract, retain and reward employees of Atmos Energy and its subsidiaries. Certain of these awards vest based upon the passage of time and other awards vest based upon the passage of time and the achievement of specified performance tar- gets. The fair value of the awards granted is based on the market price of our stock at the date of grant. We esti- mate forfeitures using our historical forfeiture rate. The associated expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period. We use authorized and unissued shares to meet share requirements for the vesting of restricted stock units. Employees who are granted time-lapse restricted stock units under our LTIP have a nonforfeitable right to dividend equivalents that are paid at the same rate and at the same time at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Time-lapse restricted stock units contain only a service condition that the employee recipi- ents render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the date of grant, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions). There are no performance conditions required to be met for employees to be vested in time-lapse restricted stock units. Employees who are granted performance-based restricted stock units under our LTIP have a forfeitable right to dividend equivalents that accrue at the same rate at which they are paid on shares of stock without restrictions. Dividend equivalents on the performance-based restricted stock units are paid either in cash or in the form of shares upon the vesting of the award. Performance-based restricted stock units contain a service condition that the employee recipients render continuous services to the Company for a period of three years from the begin- ning of the applicable three-year performance period, except for accelerated vesting in the event of death, dis- ability, change of control of the Company or termination without cause (with certain exceptions) and a performance condition based on a cumulative earnings per share target amount. The following summarizes information regarding the restricted stock units granted under the plan during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015: 2017 2016 2015 Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Number of Restricted Units Nonvested at beginning of year 782,431 . . . . Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273,497 Vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (448,326) (36,788) Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $57.66 74.15 52.23 63.48 Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value $48.24 65.98 45.88 53.52 Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value $42.22 50.50 39.28 48.55 Number of Restricted Units 988,637 444,543 (551,688) (3,388) Number of Restricted Units 878,104 357,323 (448,136) (4,860) Nonvested at end of year . . . . . . . . . . 570,814 $69.45 782,431 $57.66 878,104 $48.24 79 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) As of September 30, 2017, there was $10.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non- vested restricted stock units granted under the LTIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted- average period of 1.6 years. The fair value of restricted stock vested during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $23.4 million, $20.6 million and $21.7 million. Other Plans Direct Stock Purchase Plan We maintain a Direct Stock Purchase Plan, open to all investors, which allows participants to have all or part of their cash dividends paid quarterly in additional shares of our common stock. The minimum initial investment required to join the plan is $1,250. Direct Stock Purchase Plan participants may purchase additional shares of our common stock as often as weekly with voluntary cash payments of at least $25, up to an annual maximum of $100,000. Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors We have an Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non — Employee Directors, which pro- vides non-employee directors of Atmos Energy with the opportunity to defer receipt, until retirement, of compensation for services rendered to the Company and invest deferred compensation into either a cash account or a stock account. The plan provides non-employee directors of Atmos Energy with the opportunity to defer receipt, until retirement, of compensation for services rendered to the Company and invest deferred compensa- tion into either a cash account or a stock account. Other Discretionary Compensation Plans We have an annual incentive program covering substantially all employees to give each employee an oppor- tunity to share in our financial success based on the achievement of key performance measures considered crit- ical to achieving business objectives for a given year with minimum and maximum thresholds. The Company must meet the minimum threshold for the plan to be funded and distributed to employees. These performance measures may include earnings growth objectives, improved cash flow objectives or crucial customer satisfaction and safety results. We monitor progress towards the achievement of the performance measures throughout the year and record accruals based upon the expected payout using the best estimates available at the time the accrual is recorded. During the last several fiscal years, we have used earnings per share as our sole performance meas- ure. 9. Details of Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Captions The following tables provide additional information regarding the composition of certain of our balance sheet captions. Assets held for sale at September 30, 2016 are detailed in Note 15. Accounts receivable Accounts receivable was comprised of the following at September 30, 2017 and 2016: September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Billed accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unbilled revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $135,091 73,143 24,894 $120,128 67,396 39,412 Total accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233,128 (10,865) 226,936 (11,056) Net accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $222,263 $215,880 80 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Other current assets Other current assets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the following accounts. September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred gas costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Materials and supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assets from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 65,714 32,163 — 4,472 2,436 1,536 $45,184 21,489 5,456 5,825 3,029 7,102 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $106,321 $88,085 Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following as of September 30, 2017 and 2016: September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production plant Storage plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transmission plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Distribution plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intangible plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 66 369,510 2,521,671 7,306,021 765,662 38,980 Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,001,910 299,394 11,301,304 (2,042,122) $ 66 353,523 2,232,927 6,598,990 732,606 40,515 9,958,627 183,879 10,142,506 (1,873,900) Net property, plant and equipment(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,259,182 $ 8,268,606 (1) Net property, plant and equipment includes plant acquisition adjustments of $(64.1) million and $(59.8) mil- lion at September 30, 2017 and 2016. 81 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Goodwill The following presents our goodwill balance allocated by segment and changes in the balance for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017: Balance as of September 30, 2016(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allocation of goodwill due to disposal of Natural Gas Marketing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred tax adjustments on prior acquisitions(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . Distribution $583,950 Pipeline and Storage (In thousands) $143,012 Total $726,962 2,711 419 — 40 2,711 459 Balance as of September 30, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $587,080 $143,052 $730,132 (1) Our discontinued natural gas marketing segment had $16.4 million of goodwill at September 30, 2016. Of this amount, $13.7 million was written off in connection with the sale and the remaining $2.7 million was reallocated to the distribution segment. (2) We annually adjust certain deferred taxes recorded in connection with acquisitions completed in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2004, which resulted in an increase to goodwill and net deferred tax liabilities of $0.5 million for fiscal 2017. Deferred charges and other assets Deferred charges and other assets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the following accounts. September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Marketable securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regulatory assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assets from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 88,409 110,977 803 20,447 $ 72,701 214,890 1,822 15,606 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $220,636 $305,019 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the follow- ing accounts. Trade accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued gas payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $143,422 50,253 39,375 $114,361 47,107 35,017 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $233,050 $196,485 September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) 82 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Other current liabilities Other current liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the following accounts. September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Customer credit balances and deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued employee costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred gas costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liabilities from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pension and postretirement obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regulatory cost of removal accrual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 54,627 46,653 15,559 39,624 322 116,291 18,411 35,910 5,251 $ 81,219 47,058 20,180 34,863 56,771 104,145 36,606 52,610 5,633 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $332,648 $439,085 Deferred credits and other liabilities Deferred credits and other liabilities as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised of the following accounts. September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Customer advances for construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regulatory liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asset retirement obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liabilities from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,309 5,257 12,827 112,076 36,266 $ 9,850 4,152 13,404 184,048 33,920 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $175,735 $245,374 10. Leases We have entered into operating leases for office and warehouse space, vehicles and heavy equipment used in our operations. The remaining lease terms range from one to 14 years and generally provide for the payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance by the lessee. Renewal options exist for certain of these leases. The related future minimum lease payments at September 30, 2017 were as follows: 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thereafter Operating Leases (In thousands) $ 17,170 16,437 15,438 15,238 15,138 35,516 Total minimum lease payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $114,937 83 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Consolidated lease and rental expense amounted to $32.7 million, $32.6 million and $32.5 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015. 11. Commitments and Contingencies Litigation We are a party to various litigation that has arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the results of such litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Environmental Matters We are a party to environmental matters and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. While the ultimate results of response actions to these environmental matters and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such response actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows because we believe that the expenditures related to such response actions will either be recovered through rates, shared with other parties or are adequately covered by insurance. Purchase Commitments Our distribution and pipeline and storage segments maintain supply contracts with several vendors that generally cover a period of up to one year. Commitments for estimated base gas volumes are established under these contracts on a monthly basis at contractually negotiated prices. Commitments for incremental daily pur- chases are made as necessary during the month in accordance with the terms of the individual contract. Our Mid-Tex Division maintains a limited number of long-term supply contracts to ensure a reliable source of gas for our customers in its service area which obligate it to purchase specified volumes at prices indexed to natural gas trading hubs. At September 30, 2017, we were committed to purchase 20.9 Bcf within one year, 37.9 Bcf within two to three years and 0.3 Bcf beyond three years under indexed contracts. Purchases under these contracts totaled $49.7 million, $85.3 million and $113.3 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015. 12. Income Taxes The components of income tax expense from continuing operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as fol- lows: Current 2017 2016 (In thousands) 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Federal State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $ — $ 9,022 5,667 — 6,513 Deferred Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Investment tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,013 15,348 — 178,630 12,350 (5) 170,649 12,393 (6) $221,383 $196,642 $189,549 84 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Reconciliations of the provision for income taxes computed at the statutory rate to the reported provisions for income taxes from continuing operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 are set forth below: 2017 Tax at statutory rate of 35% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Common stock dividends deductible for tax reporting . . . . . . . . . State taxes (net of federal benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Change in valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other, net $211,433 (2,584) 16,100 — (3,566) 2016 (In thousands) $189,764 (2,570) 11,133 1,324 (3,009) 2015 $173,310 (2,413) 12,289 4,998 1,365 Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $221,383 $196,642 $189,549 Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant components of the deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets at September 30, 2017 and 2016 are presented below: Deferred tax assets: Employee benefit plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net operating loss carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charitable and other credit carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred tax liabilities: 2017 2016 (In thousands) 121,288 65,171 555,043 18,873 10,218 770,593 (5,403) 765,190 $ 122,682 107,782 514,391 22,273 23,648 790,776 (10,481) 780,295 Difference in net book value and net tax value of assets . . . . . . . . . . . . Pension funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas cost adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,528,485) (13,101) (60,376) (41,927) (2,259,278) (30,652) (54,725) (38,696) Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,643,889) (2,383,351) Net deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(1,878,699) $(1,603,056) Deferred credits for rate regulated entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 985 $ 861 At September 30, 2017, we had $532.9 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards. The federal net operating loss carryforwards are available to offset taxable income and will begin to expire in 2029. The Com- pany also has $10.1 million of federal alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, which do not expire. In addition, the Company has $7.6 million in charitable contribution carryforwards to offset taxable income. The Company’s charitable contribution carryforwards expire in 2018 — 2022. For state taxable income, the Company has $22.1 million of state net operating loss carryforwards (net of $11.9 million of federal effects) and $1.2 million of state tax credits carryforwards (net of federal effects). Depending on the jurisdiction in which the state net operating loss was generated, the carryforwards will begin to expire between 2018 and 2032. We believe it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain charitable contribution carryforwards, state net operating loss carryforwards and state credit carryforwards will not be realized. Due to the uncertainty 85 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) of realizing a benefit from the deferred tax asset recorded for the carryforwards, a valuation allowance of $1.1 million was established for the year ended September 30, 2016. No additional valuation allowance was recorded for the year ended September 30, 2017. However, at September 30, 2017, $5.1 million of deferred tax assets expired for which a valuation allowance had previously been recorded. At September 30, 2017, we had recorded liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits totaling $23.7 million. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance of our unrecognized tax benefits: Unrecognized tax benefits — beginning balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Increase (decrease) resulting from prior period tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . Increase resulting from current period tax positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unrecognized tax benefits — ending balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less: deferred federal and state income tax benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 $20,298 (366) 3,787 23,719 (8,302) 2016 (In thousands) $17,069 (290) 3,519 2015 $12,629 1,009 3,431 20,298 (7,104) 17,069 (5,974) Total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate as of the end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,417 $13,194 $11,095 The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penal- ties in operating expense. During the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized approximately $1.1 million, $2.5 million and $0.5 million in interest and penalties. The Company had approx- imately $4.5 million, $3.3 million and $0.8 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at Sep- tember 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as in various states where we have oper- ations. We have concluded substantially all U.S. federal income tax matters through fiscal year 2009 and con- cluded substantially all Texas income tax matters through fiscal year 2010. 13. Financial Instruments We use financial instruments to mitigate commodity price risk and interest rate risk. Our financial instru- ments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when our financial instruments are in net liability positions. As discussed in Note 2 and Note 15, we report our financial instruments as risk management assets and liabilities, each of which is classified as current or noncurrent based upon the anticipated settlement date of the underlying financial instrument. The following table shows the fair values of our risk management assets and liabilities at September 30, 2017 and 2016. Risk management assets and liabilities associated with our former natural gas marketing operations have been classified as held for sale at September 30, 2016. These risk management assets and liabilities are presented in Note 15. September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Assets from risk management activities, current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assets from risk management activities, noncurrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liabilities from risk management activities, current(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liabilities from risk management activities, noncurrent(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,436 803 (322) (112,076) $ 3,029 1,822 (56,771) (184,048) Net assets (liabilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(109,159) $(235,968) (1) Includes $25.7 million of cash held on deposit to collateralize certain distribution financial instruments, which were used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities at September 30, 2016. 86 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Distribution Commodity Risk Management Activities Although our purchased gas cost adjustment mechanisms essentially insulate our distribution segment from commodity price risk, our customers are exposed to the effects of volatile natural gas prices. We manage this exposure through a combination of physical storage, fixed-price forward contracts and financial instruments, primarily over-the-counter swap and option contracts, in an effort to minimize the impact of natural gas price volatility on our customers during the winter heating season. Our distribution gas supply department is responsible for executing this segment’s commodity risk manage- ment activities in conformity with regulatory requirements. In jurisdictions where we are permitted to mitigate commodity price risk through financial instruments, the relevant regulatory authorities may establish the level of heating season gas purchases that can be hedged. Historically, if the regulatory authority does not establish this level, we seek to hedge between 25 and 50 percent of anticipated heating season gas purchases using financial instruments. For the 2016-2017 heating season (generally October through March), in the jurisdictions where we are permitted to utilize financial instruments, we hedged approximately 27 percent, or approximately 16.2 Bcf of the winter flowing gas requirements at a weighted average cost of approximately $3.08 per Mcf. We have not designated these financial instruments as hedges. Natural Gas Marketing Commodity Risk Management Activities Our discontinued natural gas marketing segment was exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas through the purchase, sale and delivery of natural gas to its customers at competitive prices. Through December 31, 2016, we managed our exposure to such risks through a combination of physical storage and financial instruments, including futures, over-the-counter and exchange-traded options and swap contracts with counterparties. Effective January 1, 2017, as a result of the sale of AEM, these activities were discontinued. Due to the sale of AEM, we determined that the cash flows associated with our natural gas marketing commodity cash flow hedges were no longer probable of occurring; therefore, we discontinued hedge accounting as of December 31, 2016. As a result, we reclassified the gain in accumulated other comprehensive income asso- ciated with the commodity contracts into earnings as a reduction of purchased gas cost and recognized a pre-tax gain of $10.6 million, which is included in income from discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended September 30, 2017. Interest Rate Risk Management Activities We currently manage interest rate risk through the use of forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treas- ury yield component of the interest cost associated with anticipated financings. In October 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with the then anticipated issuance of $500 million senior notes in October 2014. These notes were issued as planned in October 2014 and we settled swaps with the receipt of $13.4 million. Because the swaps were effective, the realized gain was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and is being recognized as a component of interest expense over the 30-year life of the senior notes. In October 2012, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to fix the Treasury yield component associated with $210 million of the then anticipated issuance of $250 million unsecured senior notes in June 2017. These notes were issued as planned in June 2017 and we settled swaps with the payment of $37.0 million. Because the swaps were effective, the realized loss was recorded as a component of accumulated other compre- hensive loss and is being recognized as a component of interest expense over the 27-year life of the senior notes. Additionally, in fiscal 2014 and 2015, we entered into forward starting interest rate swaps to effectively fix the Treasury yield component associated with $450 million of the anticipated issuance of $450 million unsecured senior notes in fiscal 2019. We designated all of these swaps as cash flow hedges at the time the agreements were 87 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) executed. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses associated with the forward starting interest rate swaps will be recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When the forward starting inter- est rate swaps settle, the realized gain or loss will be recorded as a component of accumulated other compre- hensive income (loss) and recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the related financing arrangement. Hedge ineffectiveness to the extent incurred, will be reported as a component of interest expense. Prior to fiscal 2012, we entered into several interest rate agreements to fix the Treasury yield component of the interest cost of financing for various issuances of long-term debt and senior notes. The gains and losses real- ized upon settlement of these interest rate agreements were recorded as a component of accumulated other com- prehensive income (loss) when they were settled and are being recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of the associated notes from the date of settlement. The remaining amortization periods for the set- tled interest rate agreements extend through fiscal 2045. Quantitative Disclosures Related to Financial Instruments The following tables present detailed information concerning the impact of financial instruments on our consolidated balance sheet and income statements. As of September 30, 2017, our financial instruments were comprised of both long and short commodity positions. A long position is a contract to purchase the commodity, while a short position is a contract to sell the commodity. As of September 30, 2017, we had 19,172 MMcf of net long commodity contracts outstanding. These contracts have not been designated as hedges. Financial Instruments on the Balance Sheet The following tables present the fair value and balance sheet classification of our financial instruments as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. The gross amounts of recognized assets and liabilities are netted within our Con- solidated Balance Sheets to the extent that we have netting arrangements with the counterparties. Balance Sheet Location Assets Liabilities (In thousands) September 30, 2017 Designated As Hedges: Interest rate contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Designated As Hedges: Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current assets / Other current liabilities Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gross Financial Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet: Contract netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Financial Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 $ — $(112,076) — (112,076) 2,436 803 3,239 3,239 (322) — (322) (112,398) — 3,239 — — (112,398) — $3,239 $(112,398) ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Balance Sheet Location Assets Liabilities (In thousands) September 30, 2016 Designated As Hedges: Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current assets of disposal group classified as held for sale / Current liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale Interest rate contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current assets / Other current liabilities $ 6,612 $ (21,903) — (68,481) Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noncurrent assets of disposal group classified as held for sale / Noncurrent liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale Interest rate contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Designated As Hedges: Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current assets / Other current liabilities Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current assets of disposal group classified as held for sale / Current liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets / Deferred credits and other liabilities Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noncurrent assets of disposal group classified as held for sale / Noncurrent liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gross Financial Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . Gross Amounts Offset on Consolidated Balance Sheet: Contract netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Financial Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash collateral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Assets/Liabilities from Risk Management Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,178 (3,779) — (198,008) 8,790 (292,171) 3,029 — 18,157 (18,812) 1,822 — 12,343 (12,701) 35,351 (31,513) 44,141 (323,684) (39,290) 39,290 4,851 6,775 (284,394) 43,575 $ 11,626 $(240,819) Impact of Financial Instruments on the Income Statement Hedge ineffectiveness for our natural gas marketing segment was recorded as a component of purchased gas cost, which is included in discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of income, and primarily results from differences in the location and timing of the derivative instrument and the hedged item. For the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized a gain arising from fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness of $3.4 million, $21.6 million and $0.2 million. Additional information regarding ineffectiveness recognized in the income statement is included in the tables below. 89 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Fair Value Hedges The impact of our natural gas marketing segment commodity contracts designated as fair value hedges and the related hedged item on the results of discontinued operations on our consolidated income statement for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below. Commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair value adjustment for natural gas inventory designated as the Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 (In thousands) $ 3,516 $ (9,567) $10,311 hedged item . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,858 18,079 (9,768) Total decrease in purchased gas cost reflected in income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,291 $21,595 $ 543 The decrease in purchased gas cost reflected in income from discontinued operations is comprised of the following: Basis ineffectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timing ineffectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (597) 3,888 $ (1,390) 22,985 $ 3,291 $21,595 $ $ 811 (268) 543 Basis ineffectiveness arises from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the hedge instruments. Timing ineffectiveness arises due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the tim- ing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity. As the commodity contract nears the settlement date, spot-to-forward price differences should converge, which should reduce or eliminate the impact of this ineffectiveness on purchased gas cost. To the extent that the Company’s natural gas inventory does not qualify as a hedged item in a fair-value hedge, or has not been designated as such, the natural gas inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cash Flow Hedges The impact of cash flow hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below. Note that this presentation does not reflect the financial impact arising from the hedged physical transaction. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled. Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 (In thousands) Loss reclassified from AOCI for effective portion of natural gas marketing commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (2,612) $(52,651) $(41,716) Gain (loss) arising from ineffective portion of natural gas marketing commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 (19) (325) Gain on discontinuance of cash flow hedging of natural gas marketing commodity contracts reclassified from AOCI . . . . . . . 10,579 — — Total impact on purchased gas cost reflected in income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net loss on settled interest rate agreements reclassified from AOCI into interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,078 (52,670) (42,041) (1,043) (546) (853) Total impact from cash flow hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,035 $(53,216) $(42,894) 90 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The following table summarizes the gains and losses arising from hedging transactions that were recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, for the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. The amounts included in the table below exclude gains and losses arising from ineffectiveness because these amounts are immediately recognized in the income statement as incurred. Fiscal Year Ended September 30 2017 2016 (In thousands) Increase (decrease) in fair value: Interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forward commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $74,560 9,847 $(99,029) (11,662) Recognition of (gains) losses in earnings due to settlements: Interest rate agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forward commodity contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662 (4,865) 347 32,117 Total other comprehensive income (loss) from hedging, net of tax(1) . . . . . . . . . . $80,204 $(78,227) (1) Utilizing an income tax rate ranging from approximately 37 percent to 39 percent based on the effective rates in each taxing jurisdiction. Deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our interest rate agreements are recognized in earnings as they are amortized. The following amounts, net of deferred taxes, represent the expected recognition in earnings of the deferred gains (losses) recorded in AOCI associated with our financial instruments, based upon the fair values of these financial instruments as of September 30, 2017. However, the table below does not include the expected recognition in earnings of our outstanding interest rate agreements as those financial instruments have not yet settled. 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thereafter Interest Rate Agreements (In thousands) $ (1,509) (1,533) (1,557) (1,557) (1,557) (33,420) Total(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(41,133) (1) Utilizing an income tax rate of 37 percent. Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedges The impact of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges on our consolidated income statements for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was an increase (decrease) in purchased gas cost reflected in income from discontinued operations of $6.8 million, $(15.5) million and $15.5 million. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical trans- actions associated with these financial instruments. Therefore, this presentation is not indicative of the economic gross profit we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled. As discussed above, financial instruments used in our distribution segment are not designated as hedges. However, there is no earnings impact on our distribution segment as a result of the use of these financial instru- ments because the gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recognized in the con- 91 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) solidated statement of income as a component of purchased gas cost when the related costs are recovered through our rates and recognized in revenue. Accordingly, the impact of these financial instruments is excluded from this presentation. 14. Fair Value Measurements We report certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measure- ment date (exit price). We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at carry- ing value, which substantially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. For other financial assets and liabilities, we primarily use quoted market prices and other observable market pric- ing information to minimize the use of unobservable pricing inputs in our measurements when determining fair value. The methods used to determine fair value for our assets and liabilities are fully described in Note 2. Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and post-retirement plan assets. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 7. Quantitative Disclosures Financial Instruments The classification of our fair value measurements requires judgment regarding the degree to which market data are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. As required under authoritative accounting literature, assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Assets: Financial instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Available-for-sale securities Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1) Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (In thousands) Netting and Cash Collateral September 30, 2017 $ — $ 3,239 $ — $ — $ 3,239 Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . Bond mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,097 16,371 — — Total available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . 57,468 — — 29,104 1,837 30,941 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $57,468 $ 34,180 Liabilities: Financial instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $112,398 $ $ — — — — — — — — — — 41,097 16,371 29,104 1,837 88,409 — $ — $ 91,648 — $ — $112,398 92 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)(1) Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (In thousands) Netting and Cash Collateral(2) September 30, 2016 Assets: Financial instruments(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hedged portion of gas stored underground(3) . . . Available-for-sale securities $ — $ 44,141 — 52,578 Registered investment companies . . . . . . . . . Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,677 — — Total available-for-sale securities . . . . . . . . . . . 38,677 — 31,394 2,630 34,024 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $91,255 $ 78,165 Liabilities: Financial instruments(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ — $323,684 $ $ $ — $(32,515) — — $ 11,626 52,578 — — — — — — — — 38,677 31,394 2,630 72,701 — $(32,515) $136,905 — $(82,865) $240,819 (1) Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market- based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost. (2) This column reflects adjustments to our gross financial instrument assets and liabilities to reflect netting permitted under our master netting agreements and the relevant authoritative accounting literature. As of September 30, 2016 we had $50.4 million of cash held in margin accounts to collateralize certain financial instruments. Of this amount, $43.6 million was used to offset current and noncurrent risk management liabilities under master netting agreements and the remaining $6.8 million is classified as current risk man- agement assets. (3) Our financial instruments and hedged portion of gas stored underground include assets and liabilities related to our natural gas marketing operations, which are classified as “held for sale” on our consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016. 93 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Available-for-sale securities are comprised of the following: Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gain Gross Unrealized Loss (In thousands) As of September 30, 2017 Domestic equity mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign equity mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bond mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,361 4,581 16,391 29,074 1,837 $ 8,920 2,235 2 46 — $77,244 $11,203 As of September 30, 2016 Domestic equity mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign equity mutual funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Money market funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,692 4,954 31,296 2,630 $ 6,419 1,202 108 — $65,572 $ 7,729 $ — — (22) (16) — $ (38) $(590) — (10) — $(600) Fair Value $34,281 6,816 16,371 29,104 1,837 $88,409 $32,521 6,156 31,394 2,630 $72,701 At September 30, 2017 and 2016, our available-for-sale securities included $42.9 million and $41.3 million related to assets held in separate rabbi trusts for our supplemental executive retirement plans as discussed in Note 7. At September 30, 2017 we maintained investments in bonds that have contractual maturity dates ranging from October 2017 through December 2020. Other Fair Value Measures In addition to the financial instruments above, we have several financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measures. These financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The nonfinancial assets and liabilities include asset retirement obligations and pension and post-retirement plan assets. We record cash and cash equivalents, accounts receiv- able, accounts payable and debt at carrying value. For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, we consider carrying value to materially approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Our debt is recorded at carrying value. The fair value of our debt is determined using third party market value quotations, which are considered Level 1 fair value measurements for debt instruments with a recent, observable trade or Level 2 fair value measurements for debt instruments where fair value is determined using the most recent available quoted market price. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our debt as of September 30, 2017: Carrying Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15. Divestitures and Acquisitions Divestiture of Atmos Energy Marketing (AEM) September 30, 2017 (In thousands) $3,085,000 $3,382,272 On October 29, 2016, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the Agreement) with CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CES) to sell all of the equity inter- 94 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) ests of AEM. The transaction closed on January 3, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2017. CES paid a cash purchase price of $38.3 million plus working capital of $109.0 million for total cash consideration of $147.3 million. Of this amount, $7.0 million was placed into escrow and will be paid to the Company within 24 months, net of any indemnification claims agreed upon between the two companies. We recognized a net gain of $0.03 per diluted share on the sale in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and completed the working capital true — up during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The operating results of our natural gas marketing reportable segment have been reported on the con- solidated statements of income as income from discontinued operations, net of income tax. Accordingly, expenses related to allocable general corporate overhead and interest expense are not included in these results. The decision to report this segment as a discontinued operation was predicated, in part, on the following qualitative and quantitative factors: 1) the disposal resulted in the company becoming a fully regulated entity; 2) the fact that an entire reportable segment was disposed and 3) the fact the disposed segment represented in excess of 30 percent of consolidated revenues over the last five fiscal years. The tables below set forth selected financial and operational information related to assets, liabilities and operating results related to discontinued operations. Additionally, assets and liabilities related to our natural gas marketing operations are classified as “held for sale” on our consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2016. Prior period revenues and expenses associated with these assets have been reclassified into discontinued oper- ations. This reclassification had no impact on previously reported consolidated net income. The following table presents statement of income data related to discontinued operations. Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other nonoperating expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued operations before income taxes . . . Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gain on sale from discontinued operations, net of tax 2017 $303,474 277,554 7,874 Year Ended September 30 2016 (In thousands) $1,005,090 968,118 26,184 $1,409,071 1,359,832 30,076 2015 18,046 (211) 17,835 6,841 10,994 10,788 (2,495) 8,293 3,731 4,562 — 19,163 (3,570) 15,593 6,141 9,452 — ($10,215, $0 and $0) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,716 Net income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13,710 $ 4,562 $ 9,452 95 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) The following table presents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of major classes of assets and liabilities of our natural gas marketing’s operations to total assets and liabilities classified as held for sale. Assets: Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gas stored underground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assets from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noncurrent assets from risk management activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale in the statement of financial position(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30, 2016 (In thousands) $ 11,905 93,551 54,246 8,743 5,968 16,445 169 266 191,293 25,417 5 Total assets of disposal group in the statement of financial position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $216,715 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred credits and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale in the statement of financial position(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intercompany note payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intercompany payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 72,268 9,640 316 82,224 35,000 15,471 14,139 3,284 Total liabilities of disposal group in the statement of financial position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150,118 (1) Amounts are classified as current and long term in the statement of financial position. The following table presents statement of cash flow data related to discontinued operations. Year Ended September 30 2016 2015 2017 Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Noncash gain (loss) in commodity contract cash flow hedges . . . . . . (In thousands) $ 185 $ — $ $(8,165) $ 2,304 321 $(33,533) $ 2,388 $ 226 $38,956 Significant Accounting Policies Related to Discontinued Operations Except as noted below, AEM adhered to the same Significant Accounting Policies as described in Note 2. Revenue recognition — Operating revenues for our natural gas marketing segment was recognized in the period in which actual volumes were transported and storage services were provided. Operating revenues for our natural gas marketing segment and the associated carrying value of natural gas inventory (inclusive of storage 96 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) costs) were recognized when we sold the gas and physically delivered it to our customers. Operating revenues include realized gains and losses arising from the settlement of financial instruments used in our natural gas marketing activities. Gas stored underground — Gas stored underground was comprised of natural gas injected into storage to conduct the operations of the natural gas marketing segment. Our natural gas marketing segment utilized the average cost method; however, most of this inventory was hedged and was therefore reported at fair value at the end of each month. Property, plant and equipment — Natural gas marketing property, plant and equipment was stated at cost. Depreciation was generally computed on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes based upon estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 30 years. Financial instruments and hedging activities — In our natural gas marketing segment, we previously des- ignated most of the natural gas inventory held by this operating segment as the hedged item in a fair-value hedge. This inventory was marked to market at the end of each month based on the Gas Daily index, with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in purchased gas cost, which is reflected in income from dis- continued operations in the period of change. The financial instruments associated with this natural gas inventory were designated as fair-value hedges and were marked to market each month based upon the NYMEX price with changes in fair value recognized as unrealized gains or losses in purchased gas cost in the period of change. We elected to exclude this spot/forward differential for purposes of assessing the effectiveness of these fair-value hedges. Additionally, we previously elected to treat fixed-price forward contracts used in our natural gas marketing segment to deliver natural gas as normal purchases and normal sales. As such, these deliveries were recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with our revenue recognition policy. Financial instruments used to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with these contracts were designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated pur- chases and sales at indexed prices. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses on these open financial instruments were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, and are recognized in earnings as a component of purchased gas cost which is reflected in income from discontinued operations when the hedged volumes were sold. Gains and losses from hedge ineffectiveness were recognized in the income statement. Fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness arising from natural gas market price differences between the locations of the hedged inventory and the delivery location specified in the financial instruments is referred to as basis ineffectiveness. Ineffectiveness arising from changes in the fair value of the fair value hedges due to changes in the difference between the spot price and the futures price, as well as the difference between the timing of the settlement of the futures and the valuation of the underlying physical commodity is referred to as timing ineffectiveness. Hedge ineffectiveness, to the extent incurred, is reported as a component of purchased gas cost reflected in income from discontinued operations for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Our natural gas marketing segment also utilized master netting agreements with significant counterparties that allow us to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments that would be settled in cash with gains and losses arising from financial instruments that could be settled with the physical commodity. Assets and liabilities from risk management activities, as well as accounts receivable and payable, reflect the master netting agreements in place. Additionally, the accounting guidance for master netting arrangements requires us to include the fair value of cash collateral or the obligation to return cash in the amounts that have been netted under master netting agreements used to offset gains and losses arising from financial instruments. As of September 30, 2016, the Company netted $24.7 million of cash held in margin accounts into its current and noncurrent risk management assets and liabilities, which are included in assets and liabilities held for sale. Fair Value Measurements — Our discontinued operations used the same fair value measurement policies as described in Note 2 for our continuing operations. Level 1 measurements included primarily exchange-traded 97 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) financial instruments and gas stored underground that was been designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge. Within our natural gas marketing operations, we utilized a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between the bid and ask prices), as permitted under current accounting standards. Values derived from these sources reflected the market in which transactions involving these financial instruments are executed. Level 2 measurements primarily consisted of non-exchange-traded financial instruments, such as over-the-counter options and swaps. Short-term Debt Related to Discontinued Operations AEM had one uncommitted $25 million 364-day bilateral credit facility that was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2017 and one committed $15 million 364-day bilateral credit facility that was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2017. In connection with the sale of AEM, both facilities were terminated on January 3, 2017. Acquisition of EnLink Pipeline On December 20, 2016, we executed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the general partnership and limited partnership interests in EnLink North Texas Pipeline, LP (EnLink Pipeline) from EnLink Energy GP, LLC and EnLink Midstream Operating, LP for a cash price of $85.0 million, plus working capital of $1.1 million. EnLink Pipeline’s primary asset was a 140 — mile natural gas pipeline located on the north side of the Dal- las — Fort Worth Metroplex. The $85.0 million purchase price has been allocated, based on fair value using observable market inputs, to the net book value of the acquired pipeline. 16. Concentration of Credit Risk Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to us if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations. We engage in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with major companies in the energy industry and with industrial, commercial, residential and municipal energy consumers. These transactions princi- pally occur in the southern and midwestern regions of the United States. We believe that this geographic concen- tration does not contribute significantly to our overall exposure to credit risk. Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable for the distribution segment is mitigated by the large number of individual customers and diversity in our customer base. The credit risk for our other segments is not significant. 98 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 17. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data is presented below. The sum of net income per share by quarter may not equal the net income per share for the fiscal year due to variations in the weighted average shares outstanding used in computing such amounts. Our businesses are seasonal due to weather conditions in our serv- ice areas. For further information on its effects on quarterly results, see the “Results of Operations” discussion included in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sec- tion herein. Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 (In thousands, except per share data) Fiscal year 2017: Operating revenues Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment eliminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $754,656 109,952 (84,440) $962,541 111,972 (86,327) $494,060 117,283 (84,842) $437,918 117,823 (90,861) Total operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gain on sale of discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Basic and diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income per share from continuing operations . . . . . . Income per share from discontinued operations . . . . . Net income per share — basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . 780,168 311,305 209,918 114,038 10,994 — 125,032 988,186 427,494 285,172 162,012 — 2,716 164,728 526,501 114,176 140,664 70,808 — — 70,808 464,880 72,561 91,792 35,853 — — 35,853 $ $ 1.08 0.11 1.19 $ $ 1.52 0.03 1.55 $ $ 0.67 — 0.67 $ $ 0.34 — 0.34 99 ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 (In thousands, except per share data) Fiscal year 2016: Operating revenues Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pipeline and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intersegment eliminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $649,443 98,416 (73,106) $862,127 102,153 (74,240) $424,905 113,855 (82,548) $403,303 112,772 (82,432) Total operating revenues from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operating revenues from discontinued operations(1) . . . Purchased gas cost from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased gas cost from discontinued operations(1) Operating income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . Operating income (loss) from discontinued operations . . Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income (loss) from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Basic and diluted earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income per share from continuing operations . . . . . . . . Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net income per share — basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . . 674,753 231,468 240,326 221,999 192,729 3,476 101,546 1,315 102,861 890,040 242,253 377,356 236,993 251,656 (1,640) 143,003 (1,193) 141,810 456,212 176,704 64,583 160,889 128,396 8,768 66,143 5,050 71,193 433,643 244,876 63,927 238,448 84,449 184 34,850 (610) 34,240 $ $ $ 0.99 0.01 1.00 $ $ $ 1.39 $ 0.64 (0.01) $ 1.38 $ 0.05 0.69 $ $ $ 0.33 — 0.33 (1) Operating revenues and purchased gas cost from discontinued operations are shown net of intersegment eliminations. 100 ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. None. ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures. Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, including a reasonable level of assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accord- ance with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effective- ness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 frame- work) (COSO). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2017, in providing reasonable assur- ance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external pur- poses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLP has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over finan- cial reporting. That report appears below. /s/ MICHAEL E. HAEFNER /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE Michael E. Haefner President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Christopher T. Forsythe Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer November 13, 2017 101 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Atmos Energy Corporation We have audited Atmos Energy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Atmos Energy Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the compa- ny’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect mis- statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that con- trols may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, Atmos Energy Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2017 of Atmos Energy Corporation and our report dated November 13, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Dallas, Texas November 13, 2017 102 Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Act) during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. Other Information. Not applicable. PART III ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. Information regarding directors and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018. Information regarding executive officers is reported below: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2017, regarding the executive officers of the Company. It is followed by a brief description of the business experience of each executive officer. Name Age Years of Service Office Currently Held Kim R. Cocklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael E. Haefner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher T. Forsythe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David J. Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John K. Akers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen E. Hartsfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John M. Robbins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 57 46 46 54 47 47 11 9 14 13 26 2 4 Chief Executive Officer and Director President and Chief Operating Officer and Director Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President, Utility Operations Senior Vice President, Safety and Enterprise Services Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Senior Vice President, Human Resources Kim R. Cocklin was named Executive Chairman of the Board on October 1, 2017. From October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015, Mr. Cocklin served the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer and from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017, as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Cocklin joined the Company in June 2006 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2010, after having served as Senior Vice President, Regulated Operations from October 2006 through September 2008. Mr. Cocklin was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 10, 2009. Michael E. Haefner was named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2017. Mr. Haefner joined the Company in June 2008 as Senior Vice President, Human Resources. On January 19, 2015, Mr. Haefner was promoted to Executive Vice President and assumed oversight responsibility for Atmos Pipeline — Texas, Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. and the gas supply and services function. On October 1, 2015, Mr. Haefner was promoted to the role of President and Chief Operating Officer in which he also assumed over- sight responsibility for the operations of our six utility divisions and customer service. Mr. Haefner was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 4, 2015. Christopher T. Forsythe was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective February 1, 2017. Mr. Forsythe joined the Company in June 2003 and prior to his promotion, served as the Company’s Vice President and Controller from May 2009 through January 2017. David J. Park was named Senior Vice President of Utility Operations, effective January 1, 2017. In this role, Mr. Park is responsible for the operations of Atmos Energy’s six utility divisions as well as gas supply. Prior to 103 this promotion, Mr. Park served as the President of the West Texas Division from July 2012 to December 2016. Mr. Park also served as Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs in the Mid-Tex Division and previously held positions in Engineering and Public Affairs. John K. (Kevin) Akers was named Senior Vice President, Safety and Enterprise Services, effective Jan- uary 1, 2017. In this role, Mr. Akers is responsible for customer service, safety and training, supply chain and facilities management and workforce development. Prior to his promotion, Mr. Akers served as the President of the Kentucky/Mid-States Division from May 2007 to December 2016. Mr. Akers also previously served as the President of the Mississippi Division. Karen E. Hartsfield was named Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Atmos Energy, effective August 7, 2017. Ms. Hartsfield joined the Company in June 2015, after having served in private practice for 19 years, most recently as Managing Partner of Jackson Lewis LLP in its Dallas office from July 2013 to June 2015. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis as a partner in January 2009, Ms. Hartsfield was a partner with Baker Botts LLP in Dallas. John M. (Matt) Robbins was named Senior Vice President, Human Resources, effective January 1, 2017. Mr. Robbins joined the Company in May 2013 and prior to this promotion served as Vice President, Human Resources from February 2015 to December 2016. Before joining Atmos Energy, Matt had over 20 years of experience in human resources. Identification of the members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors’ determination as to whether one or more audit committee financial experts are serving on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018. The Company has adopted a code of ethics for its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Such code of ethics is represented by the Company’s Code of Conduct, which is applicable to all directors, officers and employees of the Company, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Company’s Code of Conduct is posted on the Company’s website at www.atmosenergy.com under “Corporate Governance.” In addition, any amendment to or waiver granted from a provision of the Company’s Code of Conduct will be posted on the Company’s website under “Corporate Governance.” ITEM 11. Executive Compensation. Information on executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018. ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. Security ownership of certain beneficial owners and of management is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018. Information concerning our equity compensation plans is provided in Part II, Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. Information on certain relationships and related transactions as well as director independence is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Share- holders on February 7, 2018. ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Information on our principal accountant’s fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 7, 2018. 104 ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. (a) 1. and 2. Financial statements and financial statement schedules. PART IV The financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 are filed as part of this Form 10-K. 3. Exhibits The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibits Index are filed as part of this Form 10-K. The exhibits numbered 10.3(a) through 10.11(c) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. 105 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE Christopher T. Forsythe Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: November 13, 2017 106 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby con- stitutes and appoints Michael E. Haefner and Christopher T. Forsythe, or either of them acting alone or together, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power to act alone, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated: /s/ MICHAEL E. HAEFNER Michael E. Haefner /s/ CHRISTOPHER T. FORSYTHE Christopher T. Forsythe /s/ RICHARD M. THOMAS Richard M. Thomas /s/ KIM R. COCKLIN Kim R. Cocklin /s/ ROBERT W. BEST Robert W. Best /s/ KELLY H. COMPTON Kelly H. Compton /s/ RICHARD W. DOUGLAS Richard W. Douglas /s/ RUBEN E. ESQUIVEL Ruben E. Esquivel /s/ RAFAEL G. GARZA Rafael G. Garza /s/ RICHARD K. GORDON Richard K. Gordon /s/ ROBERT C. GRABLE Robert C. Grable /s/ NANCY K. QUINN Nancy K. Quinn /s/ RICHARD A. SAMPSON Richard A. Sampson /s/ STEPHEN R. SPRINGER Stephen R. Springer /s/ RICHARD WARE II Richard Ware II President, Chief Executive Officer and Director November 13, 2017 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer November 13, 2017 Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) November 13, 2017 Executive Chairman of the Board November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 Director November 13, 2017 107 Schedule II ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Three Years Ended September 30, 2017 Additions Balance at beginning of period Charged to cost & expenses Charged to other accounts Deductions Balance at end of period (In thousands) 2017 Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,056 $12,269 2016 Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,934 $10,414 2015 Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,659 $15,923 $— $— $— $12,460(1) $10,865 $12,292(1) $11,056 $23,648(1) $12,934 (1) Uncollectible accounts written off. 108 EXHIBITS INDEX Item 14.(a)(3) Exhibit Number Description Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to 2.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7(a) 4.7(b) 4.7(c) 4.7(d) 4.7(e) Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation or Succession Membership Interest Purchase Agreement by and between Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc. as Seller and CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. as Buyer, dated as of October 29, 2016 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation — Texas (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010) Restated Articles of Incorporation of Atmos Energy Corporation — Virginia (As Amended Effective February 3, 2010) Amended and Restated Bylaws of Atmos Energy Corporation (as of September 28, 2015) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Atmos Energy Corporation) Indenture dated as of November 15, 1995 between United Cities Gas Company and Bank of America Illinois, Trustee Indenture dated as of July 15, 1998 between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Trustee Indenture dated as of May 22, 2001 between Atmos Energy Corporation and SunTrust Bank, Trustee Indenture dated as of June 14, 2007, between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, Trustee Indenture dated as of March 23, 2009 between Atmos Energy Corporation and U.S. Bank National Corporation, Trustee Debenture Certificate for the 6 3/4% Debentures due 2028 Global Security for the 5.95% Senior Notes due 2034 Global Security for the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2019 Global Security for the 5.5% Senior Notes due 2041 Global Security for the 4.15% Senior Notes due 2043 109 Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K dated October 29, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated September 28, 2015 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.11(a) to Form S-3 dated August 31, 2004 (File No. 333-118706) Exhibit 4.8 to Form S-3 dated August 31, 2004 (File No. 333-118706) Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K dated May 15, 2001 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated June 11, 2007 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated March 26, 2009 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K dated July 22, 1998 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10(2)(g) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated March 26, 2009 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 10, 2011 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated January 8, 2013 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit Number 4.7(f) 4.7(g) 4.7(h) 10.1(a) 10.1(b) 10.1(c) 10.2 10.3(a)* 10.3(b)* 10.4(a)* 10.4(b)* 10.5* 10.6(a)* 10.6(b)* Description Global Security for the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2044 Global Security for the 3.000% Senior Notes due 2027 Global Security for the 4.125% Senior Notes due 2044 Material Contracts Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2015 among Atmos Energy Corporation, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as Administrative Agent, and Mizuho Bank Ltd., as Syndication Agent First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2016, by and among Atmos Energy Corporation, the lenders from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”) and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders Term Loan Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2016, by and among Atmos Energy Corporation, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto and Branch Banking and Trust Company as Administrative Agent Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2016, among Atmos Energy Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements Form of Atmos Energy Corporation Change in Control Severance Agreement — Tier I Form of Atmos Energy Corporation Change in Control Severance Agreement — Tier II Atmos Energy Corporation Executive Retiree Life Plan Amendment No. 1 to the Atmos Energy Corporation Executive Retiree Life Plan Atmos Energy Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Management (as amended and restated October 1, 2016) Atmos Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan, Amended and Restated in its Entirety August 7, 2007 Form of Individual Trust Agreement for the Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan 110 Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated October 15, 2014 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K dated June 8, 2017 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K dated June 8, 2017 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated October 1, 2015 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated October 5, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated September 22, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 1.1 to Form 8-K dated March 28, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.7(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.7(b) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.31 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.31(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.8(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10042) Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.28(f) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.28(g) to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 1-10042) Exhibit 99.1 to Form S-8 dated March 29, 2016 (File No. 333-210461) Signature page of Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 Exhibit Number Description 10.7(a)* 10.8* 10.9(a)* 10.7(b)* Atmos Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (As Amended and Restated, Effective as of January 1, 2016) Atmos Energy Corporation Performance-Based Supplemental Executive Benefits Plan Trust Agreement, Effective Date December 1, 2000 Atmos Energy Corporation Account Balance Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (As Amended and Restated, Effective as of January 1, 2016) Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated October 1, 1994 Amendment No. 1 to Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated August 14, 2001 Amendment No. 2 to Mini-Med/Dental Benefit Extension Agreement dated December 31, 2002 Atmos Energy Corporation Equity Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2012 10.11(a)* Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term 10.9(b)* 10.9(c)* 10.10* 10.11(b)* 10.11(c)* 12 21 23.1 24 31 32 101.INS 101.SCH 101.CAL 101.DEF Incentive Plan (as amended and restated February 3, 2016) Form of Award Agreement of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Units under the Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan Form of Award Agreement of Performance- Based Restricted Stock Units under the Atmos Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges Other Exhibits, as indicated Subsidiaries of the registrant Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP Power of Attorney Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications Section 1350 Certifications** Interactive Data File XBRL Instance Document XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 111 Exhibit Number 101.LAB 101.PRE Description XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Page Number or Incorporation by Reference to * This exhibit constitutes a “management contract or compensatory plan, contract, or arrangement.” ** These certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, furnished as Exhibit 32 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, will not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such certifications by reference. 112 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] Forward-Looking Statements The matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements made in good faith by the Company and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this report or any other of the Company’s documents or oral presentations, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “projection,” “seek,” “strategy” or similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this report. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Although the Company believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Strong Regulated Rate Base Growth—Focused on Enhancing System Safety and Reliability Capital Spending Drives Rate Base Growth s n o i l l i m $ $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $0 $11.0B-$12.0B Regulated Pipeline Regulated Distribution 2016 2017 2018E* 2019E* 2020E* 2021E* 2022E* * Regulated rate base as estimated at the end of each fiscal year 34 Consecutive Years of Dividend Increases Sustainable and Growing Dividend $2.00 $1.80 $1.60 $1.40 $1.20 $1.00 $.80 $.60 $.40 $.20 $1.94E Dividend increased 7.8% for Fiscal 2018 The indicated annual dividend rate for Fiscal 2018 is $1.94 Dividend has increased each year for the past 34 years Targeted payout ratio of 50-55% 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18E Note: Amounts are adjusted for mergers and acquisitions. Continued Outstanding Positive Total Returns to our Shareholders We have also continued to deliver outstanding positive returns to our shareholders 200% 180% 160% 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 208% 170% 135% 120% Atmos Energy Peer Group S&P 500 index 90% 70% 48% 15% 20% 1-year 3-year 5-year * Total shareholder return contains share price appreciation and dividends paid. Board of Directors Robert W. Best Formerly Chairman of the Board, Atmos Energy Corporation Dallas, Texas Board member since 1997 Committee: Executive (Chair) Kim R. Cocklin Executive Chairman of the Board, Atmos Energy Corporation Dallas, Texas Board member since 2009 Kelly H. Compton Executive Director, The Hoglund Foundation Dallas, Texas Board member since 2016 Committees: Audit, Human Resources Richard W. Douglas Executive Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle LLC Dallas, Texas Board member since 2007 Committees: Human Resources, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Work Session/ Annual Meeting Ruben E. Esquivel Vice President for Community and Corporate Relations, UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas Board member since 2008 Committees: Audit, Executive, Human Resources, Work Session/ Annual Meeting (Chair) Rafael G. Garza President and Founder of RGG Capital Partners, Inc., and Co-Founder and Managing Director, Bravo Equity, LP, Fort Worth, Texas Board member since 2016 Committees: Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance Richard K. Gordon General Partner of Juniper Capital LP and Juniper Energy LP; Co-founder of Juniper Capital II, Houston, Texas Board member since 2001 Lead Director since 2016 Committees: Human Resources, Nominating and Corporate Governance Robert C. Grable Founding Partner, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Fort Worth, Texas Board member since 2009 Committees: Audit, Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair), Work Session/ Annual Meeting Michael E. Haefner President and Chief Executive Officer, Atmos Energy Corporation Dallas, Texas Board member since 2015 Nancy K. Quinn Independent Energy Consultant Key Biscayne, Florida Board member since 2004 Former Lead Director Committees: Audit, Executive, Human Resources (Chair) Richard A. Sampson General Partner and Founder, RS Core Capital, LLC Denver, Colorado Board member since 2012 Committees: Audit (Chair), Executive, Human Resources Stephen R. Springer Retired Senior Vice President and General Manager, Midstream Division, The Williams Companies, Inc. Fort Myers Beach, Florida Board member since 2005 Committee: Work Session/ Annual Meeting Richard Ware II Chairman and President, Amarillo National Bank Amarillo, Texas Board member since 1994 Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit, Work Session/Annual Meeting Charles K. Vaughan Honorary Director, Retired Chairman of the Board and Retired Lead Director, Atmos Energy Corporation Dallas, Texas Board member from 1983 to 2012 Senior Management Team Michael E. Haefner President and Chief Executive Officer J. Kevin Akers Senior Vice President, Safety and Enterprise Services Christopher T. Forsythe Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Karen E. Hartsfield Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary David J. Park Senior Vice President, Utility Operations J. Matt Robbins Senior Vice President, Human Resources Corporate Information Common Stock Listing New York Stock Exchange. Trading symbol: ATO Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC Operations Center 6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11219 800-543-3038 To inquire about your Atmos Energy common stock, please call AST at the telephone number above. You may use the agent’s interactive voice response system 24 hours a day to learn about transferring stock or to check your recent account activity, all without the assistance of a customer service representative. Please have available your Atmos Energy shareholder account number and your Social Security or federal taxpayer ID number. To speak to an AST customer service representative, please call the same number between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You also may send an email message on our transfer agent’s website at www.amstock.com. Please refer to Atmos Energy in your email message and include your Atmos Energy shareholder account number. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP One Victory Park Suite 2000 2323 Victory Avenue Dallas, Texas 75219 214-969-8000 Annual Report Atmos Energy Corporation’s 2017 Annual Report including our Form 10-K is available at no charge from Investor Relations, Atmos Energy Corporation, P.O. Box 650205, Dallas, Texas 75265-0205 or by calling 972-855-3729, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time. Atmos Energy’s 2017 Annual Report also may be viewed on Atmos Energy’s website at www.atmosenergy.com. Annual Meeting of Shareholders The 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at the Charles K. Vaughan Center, 3697 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, Texas 75075 on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Central time. Direct Stock Purchase Plan Atmos Energy has a Direct Stock Purchase Plan that is available to all investors. For an Enrollment Application Form and a Plan Prospectus, please call AST at 800-543-3038. The Prospectus is also available at www.atmosenergy.com. You may also obtain information by writing to Investor Relations, Atmos Energy Corporation, P.O. Box 650205, Dallas, Texas 75265-0205. This is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any securities of Atmos Energy Corporation. Shares of Atmos Energy common stock purchased through the Direct Stock Purchase Plan will be offered only by Prospectus. Atmos Energy on the Internet Information about Atmos Energy is available on the Internet at www.atmosenergy.com. Our website includes news releases, current and historical financial reports, other investor data, corporate governance documents, management biographies, customer information and facts about Atmos Energy’s operations. Atmos Energy Corporation Contacts To contact Atmos Energy’s Investor Relations, call 972-855-3729, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time or send an email message to InvestorRelations@atmosenergy.com. Securities analysts and investment managers, please contact: Jennifer P. Hills Vice President, Investor Relations 972-855-3729 (voice) 972-855-3040 (fax) InvestorRelations@atmosenergy.com Atmos Energy Corporation P.O. Box 650205 Dallas, Texas 75265-0205 atmosenergy.com