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Southern (SO) Competitors

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$97.29 +0.69 (+0.71%)
Closing price 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$96.81 -0.48 (-0.49%)
As of 07:34 PM Eastern
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SO vs. AEP, LNT, ATO, CMS, and D

Should you buy Southern stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Southern with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Southern include American Electric Power (AEP), Alliant Energy (LNT), Atmos Energy (ATO), CMS Energy (CMS), and Dominion Energy (D). These companies are all part of the "utilities" sector.

How does Southern compare to American Electric Power?

Southern (NYSE:SO) and American Electric Power (NASDAQ:AEP) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Southern has a beta of 0.34, meaning that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, American Electric Power has a beta of 0.52, meaning that its stock price is 48% less volatile than the broader market.

Southern pays an annual dividend of $3.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. American Electric Power pays an annual dividend of $3.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Southern pays out 77.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. American Electric Power pays out 55.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southern has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years and American Electric Power has increased its dividend for 15 consecutive years. Southern is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

64.1% of Southern shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.2% of American Electric Power shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Southern shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of American Electric Power shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

American Electric Power has a net margin of 16.29% compared to Southern's net margin of 14.46%. Southern's return on equity of 12.64% beat American Electric Power's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Southern14.46% 12.64% 3.17%
American Electric Power 16.29%10.21%2.89%

Southern presently has a consensus price target of $100.09, indicating a potential upside of 2.88%. American Electric Power has a consensus price target of $141.71, indicating a potential upside of 4.56%. Given American Electric Power's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe American Electric Power is more favorable than Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Southern
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25
American Electric Power
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.59

Southern has higher revenue and earnings than American Electric Power. American Electric Power is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Southern$29.55B3.71$4.34B$3.9324.76
American Electric Power$21.88B3.37$3.58B$6.8119.90

In the previous week, American Electric Power had 9 more articles in the media than Southern. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for American Electric Power and 30 mentions for Southern. American Electric Power's average media sentiment score of 0.96 beat Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that American Electric Power is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Southern
14 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
American Electric Power
17 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

American Electric Power beats Southern on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern compare to Alliant Energy?

Alliant Energy (NASDAQ:LNT) and Southern (NYSE:SO) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership and earnings.

In the previous week, Southern had 10 more articles in the media than Alliant Energy. MarketBeat recorded 30 mentions for Southern and 20 mentions for Alliant Energy. Alliant Energy's average media sentiment score of 1.20 beat Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that Alliant Energy is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Alliant Energy
12 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern
14 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Alliant Energy has a beta of 0.55, indicating that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern has a beta of 0.34, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

Alliant Energy presently has a consensus target price of $77.09, indicating a potential upside of 2.87%. Southern has a consensus target price of $100.09, indicating a potential upside of 2.88%. Given Southern's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Southern is more favorable than Alliant Energy.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Alliant Energy
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.64
Southern
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

Alliant Energy pays an annual dividend of $2.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Southern pays an annual dividend of $3.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Alliant Energy pays out 67.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southern pays out 77.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Alliant Energy has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years and Southern has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years. Southern is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Alliant Energy has a net margin of 18.58% compared to Southern's net margin of 14.46%. Southern's return on equity of 12.64% beat Alliant Energy's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Alliant Energy18.58% 11.37% 3.38%
Southern 14.46%12.64%3.17%

Southern has higher revenue and earnings than Alliant Energy. Alliant Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Alliant Energy$4.36B4.44$810M$3.1923.49
Southern$29.55B3.71$4.34B$3.9324.76

79.9% of Alliant Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.1% of Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Alliant Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Southern shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Alliant Energy beats Southern on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern compare to Atmos Energy?

Atmos Energy (NYSE:ATO) and Southern (NYSE:SO) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Atmos Energy presently has a consensus target price of $186.92, suggesting a potential upside of 4.28%. Southern has a consensus target price of $100.09, suggesting a potential upside of 2.88%. Given Atmos Energy's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Atmos Energy is more favorable than Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Atmos Energy
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29
Southern
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

Southern has higher revenue and earnings than Atmos Energy. Atmos Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Atmos Energy$4.70B6.36$1.20B$8.1422.02
Southern$29.55B3.71$4.34B$3.9324.76

Atmos Energy has a net margin of 27.58% compared to Southern's net margin of 14.46%. Southern's return on equity of 12.64% beat Atmos Energy's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Atmos Energy27.58% 9.59% 4.64%
Southern 14.46%12.64%3.17%

Atmos Energy has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its share price is 40% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern has a beta of 0.34, indicating that its share price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

Atmos Energy pays an annual dividend of $4.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Southern pays an annual dividend of $3.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Atmos Energy pays out 49.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southern pays out 77.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Atmos Energy has increased its dividend for 41 consecutive years and Southern has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years.

In the previous week, Southern had 11 more articles in the media than Atmos Energy. MarketBeat recorded 30 mentions for Southern and 19 mentions for Atmos Energy. Atmos Energy's average media sentiment score of 1.34 beat Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that Atmos Energy is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Atmos Energy
14 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern
14 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

90.2% of Atmos Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.1% of Southern shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Atmos Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Southern shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Atmos Energy beats Southern on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern compare to CMS Energy?

CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS) and Southern (NYSE:SO) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, media sentiment, analyst recommendations and risk.

Southern has a net margin of 14.46% compared to CMS Energy's net margin of 12.55%. Southern's return on equity of 12.64% beat CMS Energy's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
CMS Energy12.55% 12.17% 2.91%
Southern 14.46%12.64%3.17%

93.6% of CMS Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.1% of Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of CMS Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Southern shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Southern has higher revenue and earnings than CMS Energy. CMS Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
CMS Energy$8.54B2.71$1.07B$3.6220.67
Southern$29.55B3.71$4.34B$3.9324.76

In the previous week, Southern had 11 more articles in the media than CMS Energy. MarketBeat recorded 30 mentions for Southern and 19 mentions for CMS Energy. CMS Energy's average media sentiment score of 1.18 beat Southern's score of 0.79 indicating that CMS Energy is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
CMS Energy
13 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern
14 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

CMS Energy currently has a consensus price target of $81.33, suggesting a potential upside of 8.69%. Southern has a consensus price target of $100.09, suggesting a potential upside of 2.88%. Given CMS Energy's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe CMS Energy is more favorable than Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
CMS Energy
0 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Southern
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

CMS Energy pays an annual dividend of $2.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Southern pays an annual dividend of $3.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. CMS Energy pays out 63.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Southern pays out 77.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. CMS Energy has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years and Southern has raised its dividend for 25 consecutive years. Southern is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

CMS Energy has a beta of 0.35, indicating that its share price is 65% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern has a beta of 0.34, indicating that its share price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Southern beats CMS Energy on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Southern compare to Dominion Energy?

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) and Southern (NYSE:SO) are both large-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, risk and earnings.

Dominion Energy pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Southern pays an annual dividend of $3.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Dominion Energy pays out 79.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Southern pays out 77.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Southern has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years.

Southern has higher revenue and earnings than Dominion Energy. Dominion Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Dominion Energy$16.51B3.79$3.00B$3.3821.03
Southern$29.55B3.71$4.34B$3.9324.76

In the previous week, Dominion Energy had 9 more articles in the media than Southern. MarketBeat recorded 39 mentions for Dominion Energy and 30 mentions for Southern. Southern's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat Dominion Energy's score of 0.66 indicating that Southern is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Dominion Energy
18 Very Positive mention(s)
10 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Southern
14 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Dominion Energy has a net margin of 16.93% compared to Southern's net margin of 14.46%. Southern's return on equity of 12.64% beat Dominion Energy's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Dominion Energy16.93% 9.63% 2.67%
Southern 14.46%12.64%3.17%

Dominion Energy has a beta of 0.65, meaning that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Southern has a beta of 0.34, meaning that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

Dominion Energy currently has a consensus price target of $68.00, suggesting a potential downside of 4.35%. Southern has a consensus price target of $100.09, suggesting a potential upside of 2.88%. Given Southern's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Southern is more favorable than Dominion Energy.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Dominion Energy
1 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
Southern
2 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.25

73.0% of Dominion Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 64.1% of Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Dominion Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Southern shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Southern beats Dominion Energy on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding SO and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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SO vs. The Competition

Export
MetricSouthernUTIL IndustryUtilities SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$108.90B$30.15B$19.00B$23.47B
Dividend Yield3.15%3.48%3.96%4.22%
P/E Ratio24.7621.7620.1430.72
Price / Sales3.715.1733.6219.34
Price / Cash9.879.5719.4231.69
Price / Book2.763.112.434.73
Net Income$4.34B$1.56B$785.96M$1.07B
7 Day Performance2.05%1.78%0.64%-0.45%
1 Month Performance1.59%0.93%0.75%0.89%
1 Year Performance2.41%14.68%12.41%14.27%

Southern Competitors List

Export
CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SO
Southern
3.4714 of 5 stars		$97.29
+0.7%		$100.09
+2.9%		+1.4%$108.90B$29.55B24.7629,800
AEP
American Electric Power
4.3595 of 5 stars		$132.14
-0.7%		$141.52
+7.1%		+23.9%$72.44B$21.88B21.9717,581
LNT
Alliant Energy
3.5601 of 5 stars		$74.82
-1.2%		$77.36
+3.4%		+14.8%$19.56B$4.36B23.522,948
ATO
Atmos Energy
3.9981 of 5 stars		$177.57
-0.3%		$186.42
+5.0%		+13.4%$29.72B$4.70B21.875,487
CMS
CMS Energy
3.8915 of 5 stars		$73.69
-0.9%		$80.92
+9.8%		+1.7%$22.98B$8.54B20.008,350

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This page (NYSE:SO) was last updated on 7/24/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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