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SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) Stock Fundamental Analysis

USA - New York Stock Exchange - NYSE:SO - US8425871071 - Common Stock

89.29 USD
+0.15 (+0.17%)
Last: 11/25/2025, 8:13:17 PM
88.8835 USD
-0.41 (-0.46%)
After Hours: 11/25/2025, 8:13:17 PM
Fundamental Rating

4

SO gets a fundamental rating of 4 out of 10. The analysis compared the fundamentals against 47 industry peers in the Electric Utilities industry. SO scores excellent on profitability, but there are concerns on its financial health. While showing a medium growth rate, SO is valued expensive at the moment.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

7

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

SO had positive earnings in the past year.
In the past year SO had a positive cash flow from operations.
SO had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
SO had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
SO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFSO Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2B -2B 4B 6B 8B

1.2 Ratios

SO has a Return On Assets (2.91%) which is in line with its industry peers.
Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 12.74%, SO is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 70.21% of the companies in the same industry.
The Return On Invested Capital of SO (4.62%) is better than 65.96% of its industry peers.
Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for SO is in line with the industry average of 4.92%.
The last Return On Invested Capital (4.62%) for SO is above the 3 year average (4.14%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 2.91%
ROE 12.74%
ROIC 4.62%
ROA(3y)2.83%
ROA(5y)2.58%
ROE(3y)12.5%
ROE(5y)11.4%
ROIC(3y)4.14%
ROIC(5y)4.02%
SO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICSO Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5 10 15

1.3 Margins

SO's Profit Margin of 15.42% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. SO outperforms 65.96% of its industry peers.
SO's Profit Margin has declined in the last couple of years.
SO's Operating Margin of 25.68% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. SO outperforms 74.47% of its industry peers.
SO's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
SO's Gross Margin of 89.28% 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 RankSector Rank
OM 25.68%
PM (TTM) 15.42%
GM 89.28%
OM growth 3Y5.39%
OM growth 5Y1.06%
PM growth 3Y16.73%
PM growth 5Y-5.73%
GM growth 3Y0.95%
GM growth 5Y0.39%
SO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsSO Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20 40 60 80

1

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

SO has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
Compared to 1 year ago, SO has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
Compared to 5 years ago, SO has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
The debt/assets ratio for SO is higher compared to a year ago.
SO Yearly Shares OutstandingSO Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 200M 400M 600M 800M 1B
SO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsSO Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 50B 100B

2.2 Solvency

SO has an Altman-Z score of 0.95. 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 0.95 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. SO outperforms 55.32% of its industry peers.
SO has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.85. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
The Debt to Equity ratio of SO (1.85) is worse than 87.23% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 1.85
Debt/FCF N/A
Altman-Z 0.95
ROIC/WACC0.7
WACC6.61%
SO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFSO Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 20B 40B

2.3 Liquidity

SO has a Current Ratio of 0.75. This is a bad value and indicates that SO is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
The Current ratio of SO (0.75) is worse than 65.96% of its industry peers.
A Quick Ratio of 0.56 indicates that SO may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
SO has a Quick ratio of 0.56. This is in the lower half of the industry: SO underperforms 70.21% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.75
Quick Ratio 0.56
SO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesSO Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5B 10B 15B

5

3. Growth

3.1 Past

The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 1.19% over the past year.
SO shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 5.48% yearly.
The Revenue has grown by 9.40% 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 4.53% yearly.
EPS 1Y (TTM)1.19%
EPS 3Y5.99%
EPS 5Y5.48%
EPS Q2Q%11.89%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)9.4%
Revenue growth 3Y4.96%
Revenue growth 5Y4.53%
Sales Q2Q%7.55%

3.2 Future

SO is expected to show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 7.18% yearly.
The Revenue is expected to grow by 6.32% on average over the next years.
EPS Next Y8.37%
EPS Next 2Y7.72%
EPS Next 3Y7.6%
EPS Next 5Y7.18%
Revenue Next Year7.63%
Revenue Next 2Y6.29%
Revenue Next 3Y5.88%
Revenue Next 5Y6.32%

3.3 Evolution

When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
The Revenue growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
SO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesSO Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 10B 20B 30B
SO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesSO Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2 4 6

2

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

The Price/Earnings ratio is 21.01, which indicates a rather expensive current valuation of SO.
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of SO indicates a slightly more expensive valuation: SO is more expensive than 65.96% of the companies listed in the same industry.
The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 25.98. SO is around the same levels.
A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 18.95 indicates a rather expensive valuation of SO.
SO's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
SO is valuated rather cheaply when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 35.79, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 21.01
Fwd PE 18.95
SO Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsSO Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30

4.2 Price Multiples

63.83% of the companies in the same industry are cheaper than SO, based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF N/A
EV/EBITDA 12.66
SO Per share dataSO EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 10 20 30

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)2.51
PEG (5Y)3.84
EPS Next 2Y7.72%
EPS Next 3Y7.6%

6

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

SO has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.34%.
SO's Dividend Yield is comparable with the industry average which is at 3.39.
SO's Dividend Yield is a higher than the S&P500 average which is at 2.41.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 3.34%

5.2 History

The dividend of SO has a limited annual growth rate of 1.87%.
SO has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
SO has not decreased their dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)1.87%
Div Incr Years23
Div Non Decr Years34
SO Yearly Dividends per shareSO Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

5.3 Sustainability

67.01% of the earnings are spent on dividend by SO. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
The dividend of SO is growing, but earnings are growing more, so the dividend growth is sustainable.
DP67.01%
EPS Next 2Y7.72%
EPS Next 3Y7.6%
SO Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendSO Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2B -2B 4B
SO Dividend Payout.SO Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.SO Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

SOUTHERN CO/THE

NYSE:SO (11/25/2025, 8:13:17 PM)

After market: 88.8835 -0.41 (-0.46%)

89.29

+0.15 (+0.17%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorUtilities
GICS IndustryGroupUtilities
GICS IndustryElectric Utilities
Earnings (Last)10-30 2025-10-30/bmo
Earnings (Next)02-18 2026-02-18/amc
Inst Owners71.62%
Inst Owner Change4.48%
Ins Owners0.09%
Ins Owner Change-0.72%
Market Cap98.32B
Revenue(TTM)28.91B
Net Income(TTM)4.46B
Analysts72.12
Price Target101.57 (13.75%)
Short Float %3.48%
Short Ratio6.74
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 3.34%
Yearly Dividend2.69
Dividend Growth(5Y)1.87%
DP67.01%
Div Incr Years23
Div Non Decr Years34
Ex-Date11-17 2025-11-17 (0.74)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)1.4%
Min EPS beat(2)-0.3%
Max EPS beat(2)3.1%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-0.4%
Min EPS beat(4)-4.33%
Max EPS beat(4)3.1%
EPS beat(8)5
Avg EPS beat(8)3.95%
EPS beat(12)9
Avg EPS beat(12)4.23%
EPS beat(16)11
Avg EPS beat(16)4.62%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)3.8%
Min Revenue beat(2)-0.17%
Max Revenue beat(2)7.77%
Revenue beat(4)3
Avg Revenue beat(4)4.4%
Min Revenue beat(4)-0.17%
Max Revenue beat(4)7.77%
Revenue beat(8)4
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1.23%
Revenue beat(12)6
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.21%
Revenue beat(16)10
Avg Revenue beat(16)3.55%
PT rev (1m)3.18%
PT rev (3m)3.82%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-6.34%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-6.52%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.07%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.08%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.35%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-2.86%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.26%
Revenue NY rev (3m)2.28%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 21.01
Fwd PE 18.95
P/S 3.4
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 10.48
P/B 2.81
P/tB 3.33
EV/EBITDA 12.66
EPS(TTM)4.25
EY4.76%
EPS(NY)4.71
Fwd EY5.28%
FCF(TTM)-1.66
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)8.52
OCFY9.54%
SpS26.26
BVpS31.79
TBVpS26.82
PEG (NY)2.51
PEG (5Y)3.84
Graham Number55.13
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 2.91%
ROE 12.74%
ROCE 5.44%
ROIC 4.62%
ROICexc 4.74%
ROICexgc 4.94%
OM 25.68%
PM (TTM) 15.42%
GM 89.28%
FCFM N/A
ROA(3y)2.83%
ROA(5y)2.58%
ROE(3y)12.5%
ROE(5y)11.4%
ROIC(3y)4.14%
ROIC(5y)4.02%
ROICexc(3y)4.18%
ROICexc(5y)4.06%
ROICexgc(3y)4.38%
ROICexgc(5y)4.26%
ROCE(3y)4.95%
ROCE(5y)4.79%
ROICexgc growth 3Y6.47%
ROICexgc growth 5Y1.27%
ROICexc growth 3Y6.72%
ROICexc growth 5Y1.53%
OM growth 3Y5.39%
OM growth 5Y1.06%
PM growth 3Y16.73%
PM growth 5Y-5.73%
GM growth 3Y0.95%
GM growth 5Y0.39%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.19
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 1.85
Debt/FCF N/A
Debt/EBITDA 4.91
Cap/Depr 193.96%
Cap/Sales 38.74%
Interest Coverage 2.75
Cash Conversion 71.04%
Profit Quality N/A
Current Ratio 0.75
Quick Ratio 0.56
Altman-Z 0.95
F-Score5
WACC6.61%
ROIC/WACC0.7
Cap/Depr(3y)182.47%
Cap/Depr(5y)184.04%
Cap/Sales(3y)32.2%
Cap/Sales(5y)32.89%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)1.19%
EPS 3Y5.99%
EPS 5Y5.48%
EPS Q2Q%11.89%
EPS Next Y8.37%
EPS Next 2Y7.72%
EPS Next 3Y7.6%
EPS Next 5Y7.18%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)9.4%
Revenue growth 3Y4.96%
Revenue growth 5Y4.53%
Sales Q2Q%7.55%
Revenue Next Year7.63%
Revenue Next 2Y6.29%
Revenue Next 3Y5.88%
Revenue Next 5Y6.32%
EBIT growth 1Y6.57%
EBIT growth 3Y10.62%
EBIT growth 5Y5.63%
EBIT Next Year84.89%
EBIT Next 3Y28.4%
EBIT Next 5Y19.79%
FCF growth 1Y6.85%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y33.49%
OCF growth 3Y16.63%
OCF growth 5Y11.11%

SOUTHERN CO/THE / SO FAQ

What is the fundamental rating for SO stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 4 / 10 to SO.


Can you provide the valuation status for SOUTHERN CO/THE?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 2 / 10 to SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO). This can be considered as Overvalued.


How profitable is SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) stock?

SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) has a profitability rating of 7 / 10.


What is the valuation of SOUTHERN CO/THE based on its PE and PB ratios?

The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) is 21.01 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 2.81.


What is the financial health of SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) stock?

The financial health rating of SOUTHERN CO/THE (SO) is 1 / 10.