UPDATE 1-Atmos Energy posts wider-than-expected Q4 loss

* Q4 loss from regulated operations $0.21/shr * Sees 2010 profit at $2.15-$2.25/shr vs est $2.22/shr

* Shares down 3 pct

Nov 10 (Reuters) - Atmos Energy Corp (ATO.N) posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, hurt by lower margins, but the natural gas distributor forecast 2010 earnings largely in line with market estimates.

For the fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, the company posted a net loss of $16.0 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with profit of $1.6 million, or 2 cents a share, a year earlier.

Net loss from regulated operations was 21 cents a share.

Analysts, on average, were expecting loss of 8 cents a share, before items, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Quarterly natural gas distribution gross profit decreased $7.9 million to $167.5 million, hurt by lower base customer charges in its Mid-Tex service area.

The company expects 2010 earnings to be between $2.15 per share and $2.25 per share, excluding unrealized gains and losses. Analysts were looking for $2.22 per share, before items.

Nonregulated assets are expected to deliver average annual earnings per share growth in the 4 percent to 6 percent range in fiscal 2010 and beyond, Chief Executive Robert Best said in a statement.