SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:SO • US8425871071
Current stock price
92.58 USD
-0.93 (-0.99%)
Last:
This SO fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. SO Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- SO had positive earnings in the past year.
- SO had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- SO had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
- In the past 5 years SO always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
- SO has a Return On Assets of 2.79%. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: SO outperforms 55.32% of its industry peers.
- Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 12.05%, SO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 72.34% of the companies in the same industry.
- SO has a better Return On Invested Capital (4.30%) than 61.70% of its industry peers.
- SO had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 4.15%. This is in line with the industry average of 4.52%.
- The last Return On Invested Capital (4.30%) for SO is above the 3 year average (4.15%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 2.79% | ||
| ROE | 12.05% | ||
| ROIC | 4.3% |
ROA(3y)2.89%
ROA(5y)2.63%
ROE(3y)12.65%
ROE(5y)11.61%
ROIC(3y)4.15%
ROIC(5y)4%
1.3 Margins
- SO has a better Profit Margin (14.69%) than 61.70% of its industry peers.
- SO's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- With a decent Operating Margin value of 24.65%, SO is doing good in the industry, outperforming 70.21% of the companies in the same industry.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of SO has remained more or less at the same level.
- SO's Gross Margin of 88.95% is amongst the best of the industry. SO outperforms 80.85% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of SO has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 24.65% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 14.69% | ||
| GM | 88.95% |
OM growth 3Y7.89%
OM growth 5Y-0.48%
PM growth 3Y6.87%
PM growth 5Y-0.82%
GM growth 3Y2.36%
GM growth 5Y-0.17%
2. SO Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so SO is destroying value.
- The number of shares outstanding for SO remains at a similar level compared to 1 year ago.
- The number of shares outstanding for SO remains at a similar level compared to 5 years ago.
- SO has a worse debt/assets ratio than last year.
2.2 Solvency
- SO has an Altman-Z score of 0.96. This is a bad value and indicates that SO is not financially healthy and even has some risk of bankruptcy.
- SO's Altman-Z score of 0.96 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. SO outperforms 57.45% of its industry peers.
- A Debt/Equity ratio of 1.84 is on the high side and indicates that SO has dependencies on debt financing.
- With a Debt to Equity ratio value of 1.84, SO is not doing good in the industry: 82.98% of the companies in the same industry are doing better.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.84 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.96 |
ROIC/WACC0.65
WACC6.66%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 0.65 indicates that SO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- With a Current ratio value of 0.65, SO is not doing good in the industry: 72.34% of the companies in the same industry are doing better.
- A Quick Ratio of 0.45 indicates that SO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- SO has a worse Quick ratio (0.45) than 76.60% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.65 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.45 |
3. SO Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- SO shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 5.91%.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 5.76% on average over the past years.
- The Revenue has grown by 10.58% in the past year. This is quite good.
- SO shows a small growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 7.72% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)5.91%
EPS 3Y6%
EPS 5Y5.76%
EPS Q2Q%10%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.58%
Revenue growth 3Y0.31%
Revenue growth 5Y7.72%
Sales Q2Q%10.09%
3.2 Future
- SO is expected to show quite a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 8.00% yearly.
- Based on estimates for the next years, SO will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 6.80% on average per year.
EPS Next Y9.42%
EPS Next 2Y8.55%
EPS Next 3Y8.64%
EPS Next 5Y8%
Revenue Next Year8.18%
Revenue Next 2Y6.87%
Revenue Next 3Y6.63%
Revenue Next 5Y6.8%
3.3 Evolution
- The EPS growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
- When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
4. SO Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- With a Price/Earnings ratio of 21.53, SO is valued on the expensive side.
- Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, SO is valued a bit more expensive than 65.96% of the companies in the same industry.
- The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.95. SO is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
- SO is valuated rather expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 19.68.
- Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, SO is valued a bit more expensive than 61.70% of the companies in the same industry.
- SO's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 38.68.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 21.53 | ||
| Fwd PE | 19.68 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- SO's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is in line with the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 13.19 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
- The decent profitability rating of SO may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)2.28
PEG (5Y)3.74
EPS Next 2Y8.55%
EPS Next 3Y8.64%
5. SO Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- SO has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.12%.
- SO's Dividend Yield is a higher than the industry average which is at 2.79.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.81, SO pays a better dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.12% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of SO has a limited annual growth rate of 2.35%.
- SO has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
- SO has not decreased their dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)2.35%
Div Incr Years24
Div Non Decr Years34
5.3 Sustainability
- 69.45% of the earnings are spent on dividend by SO. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- SO's earnings are growing more than its dividend. This makes the dividend growth sustainable.
DP69.45%
EPS Next 2Y8.55%
EPS Next 3Y8.64%
SO Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
NYSE:SO (4/21/2026, 11:13:54 AM)
92.58
-0.93 (-0.99%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorUtilities
GICS IndustryGroupUtilities
GICS IndustryElectric Utilities
Earnings (Last)02-19 2026-02-19/bmo
Earnings (Next)04-30 2026-04-30/bmo
Inst Owners72.64%
Inst Owner Change-0.03%
Ins Owners0.12%
Ins Owner Change8.36%
Market Cap104.37B
Revenue(TTM)29.55B
Net Income(TTM)4.34B
Analysts71.25
Price Target101.35 (9.47%)
Short Float %2.41%
Short Ratio4.4
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.12% |
Yearly Dividend2.74
Dividend Growth(5Y)2.35%
DP69.45%
Div Incr Years24
Div Non Decr Years34
Ex-Date02-17 2026-02-17 (0.74)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)-1.9%
Min EPS beat(2)-6.91%
Max EPS beat(2)3.1%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-1.04%
Min EPS beat(4)-6.91%
Max EPS beat(4)3.1%
EPS beat(8)4
Avg EPS beat(8)2.67%
EPS beat(12)8
Avg EPS beat(12)3.33%
EPS beat(16)11
Avg EPS beat(16)4.23%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)2.15%
Min Revenue beat(2)-0.17%
Max Revenue beat(2)4.47%
Revenue beat(4)3
Avg Revenue beat(4)4.34%
Min Revenue beat(4)-0.17%
Max Revenue beat(4)7.77%
Revenue beat(8)5
Avg Revenue beat(8)2.53%
Revenue beat(12)6
Avg Revenue beat(12)-2.95%
Revenue beat(16)10
Avg Revenue beat(16)2.77%
PT rev (1m)1.11%
PT rev (3m)3.01%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.54%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-4.01%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.01%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.22%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.27%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.56%
Revenue NY rev (3m)3.58%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 21.53 | ||
| Fwd PE | 19.68 | ||
| P/S | 3.53 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 10.65 | ||
| P/B | 2.9 | ||
| P/tB | 3.42 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 13.19 |
EPS(TTM)4.3
EY4.64%
EPS(NY)4.71
Fwd EY5.08%
FCF(TTM)-2.6
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)8.7
OCFY9.39%
SpS26.21
BVpS31.95
TBVpS27.1
PEG (NY)2.28
PEG (5Y)3.74
Graham Number55.5973 (-39.95%)
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 2.79% | ||
| ROE | 12.05% | ||
| ROCE | 5.25% | ||
| ROIC | 4.3% | ||
| ROICexc | 4.36% | ||
| ROICexgc | 4.53% | ||
| OM | 24.65% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 14.69% | ||
| GM | 88.95% | ||
| FCFM | N/A |
ROA(3y)2.89%
ROA(5y)2.63%
ROE(3y)12.65%
ROE(5y)11.61%
ROIC(3y)4.15%
ROIC(5y)4%
ROICexc(3y)4.19%
ROICexc(5y)4.04%
ROICexgc(3y)4.37%
ROICexgc(5y)4.23%
ROCE(3y)5.09%
ROCE(5y)4.91%
ROICexgc growth 3Y3.03%
ROICexgc growth 5Y2.27%
ROICexc growth 3Y3.28%
ROICexc growth 5Y2.54%
OM growth 3Y7.89%
OM growth 5Y-0.48%
PM growth 3Y6.87%
PM growth 5Y-0.82%
GM growth 3Y2.36%
GM growth 5Y-0.17%
F-Score4
Asset Turnover0.19
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.84 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 4.98 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 211.23% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 43.1% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 2.71 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 73.62% | ||
| Profit Quality | N/A | ||
| Current Ratio | 0.65 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.45 | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.96 |
F-Score4
WACC6.66%
ROIC/WACC0.65
Cap/Depr(3y)187.9%
Cap/Depr(5y)188.18%
Cap/Sales(3y)37.54%
Cap/Sales(5y)34.2%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)5.91%
EPS 3Y6%
EPS 5Y5.76%
EPS Q2Q%10%
EPS Next Y9.42%
EPS Next 2Y8.55%
EPS Next 3Y8.64%
EPS Next 5Y8%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.58%
Revenue growth 3Y0.31%
Revenue growth 5Y7.72%
Sales Q2Q%10.09%
Revenue Next Year8.18%
Revenue Next 2Y6.87%
Revenue Next 3Y6.63%
Revenue Next 5Y6.8%
EBIT growth 1Y3.38%
EBIT growth 3Y8.23%
EBIT growth 5Y7.2%
EBIT Next Year83.92%
EBIT Next 3Y30.23%
EBIT Next 5Y20.51%
FCF growth 1Y-452.34%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y0.14%
OCF growth 3Y15.86%
OCF growth 5Y7.92%
SOUTHERN CO/THE / SO Fundamental Analysis FAQ
What is the fundamental rating for SO stock?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 4 / 10 to SO.
What is the valuation status of SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 2 / 10 to SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO). This can be considered as Overvalued.
Can you provide the profitability details for SOUTHERN CO/THE?
SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) has a profitability rating of 7 / 10.
How financially healthy is SOUTHERN CO/THE?
The financial health rating of SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) is 1 / 10.
What is the expected EPS growth for SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) stock?
The Earnings per Share (EPS) of SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) is expected to grow by 9.42% in the next year.