Southern Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 2/6
Southern has been growing earnings at an average annual rate of 10.9%, while the Electric Utilities industry saw earnings growing at 6% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 4.9% per year. Southern's return on equity is 10.6%, and it has net margins of 14.5%.
Key information
10.88%
Earnings growth rate
9.94%
EPS growth rate
| Electric Utilities Industry Growth | 6.28% |
| Revenue growth rate | 4.92% |
| Return on equity | 10.62% |
| Net Margin | 14.46% |
| Last Earnings Update | 31 Mar 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
Seeking Alpha • May 22
Southern Company: Data Center Demand Is Becoming A Long-Term Growth Driver
Summary Southern Company is rated Buy with a $102 target, offering 9% upside as data center-driven electricity demand accelerates revenue growth. Q1 results exceeded expectations: revenue up 8% YoY, adjusted EPS up 7.3% YoY, with data centers boosting wholesale electric sales by 30%. SO's valuation remains attractive; multiples are at or below five-year averages, and the DCF model assumes a 4.61% revenue CAGR and rising margins through 2030. Balance sheet pressure persists from high net debt ($75B, Net Debt/EBITDA 5.17x), but dividends remain robust; key risks include regulatory changes and capex overruns. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • May 10
SO: Fair Outlook Will Weigh Dividend Support Against Dam Safety Progress
Analysts have trimmed their price target on Southern to $101.71 from $101.87 as small shifts in the discount rate, revenue growth assumptions, profit margin outlook, and future P/E estimates narrow their view of the upside from here. What's in the News Southern Company announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share on its common stock, payable June 8, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 18, 2026, with the annualized dividend rate set at $3.04 per share (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Apr 23
SO: Fair View Will Reflect Dam Safety Progress And Dividend Support
Analysts now see Southern’s fair value edging to about $101.87 from roughly $101.24, reflecting updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins, the discount rate, and future P/E. These changes slightly adjust the risk and return trade off you may want to watch.Narrative Update • Apr 07
SO: Fair View Will Reflect Dam Safety Progress And Stable Future P/E
Analysts have nudged their price target on Southern slightly higher to $101.24. This reflects small refinements to their models around the discount rate, long term revenue growth, profit margin assumptions, and future P/E expectations.Narrative Update • Mar 23
SO: Fair Value View Will Reflect Dam Safety Compliance And Higher Future P/E
Analysts have lifted their price target for Southern by $1, reflecting updated assumptions that include a slightly lower discount rate, modestly higher revenue growth expectations, a small adjustment to profit margin forecasts, and a marginally higher future P/E multiple. What's in the News Southern Company Generation Hydro Services received a compliance letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Office of Energy Projects Division of Dam Safety and Inspections for the Tallulah Falls Development of the North Georgia Project No. 2354-03, following a March 9, 2026 inspection conducted as part of the 12th Part 12D Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection Comprehensive Assessment (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Mar 07
SO: Fair Value View Will Reflect Modest Revenue Gains And Higher Future P/E
Analysts have raised their price target on Southern to $100.24 from $98.13, reflecting updated assumptions regarding fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E. Valuation Changes Fair Value: updated slightly higher to $100.24 from $98.13.Narrative Update • Feb 21
SO: Fair Value Outlook Will Balance Higher Profitability And Slightly Lower Future P/E
Analysts have reduced their price target for Southern by about $1, reflecting updated assumptions about fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E expectations. Valuation Changes Fair Value was reduced slightly from $99.23 to $98.13, reflecting updated model inputs.Narrative Update • Dec 04
SO: Composite Equity Units Offering Will Support Future Shareholder Value Upside
Analysts have modestly lowered their price target on Southern by approximately $0.10 to reflect a slightly higher discount rate and marginally less favorable long term valuation assumptions, while leaving core growth and profitability expectations essentially unchanged. What's in the News Southern has completed a $1.75 billion composite equity units offering, issuing 35 million equity derivative units priced at $50 per unit, with a $0.875 discount per security (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Nov 20
SO: Composite Units Offering Is Expected To Drive Shareholder Value Forward
Narrative Update on Southern Analysts have modestly revised their price target for Southern, lowering it by $1.12 per share. This change reflects updated assessments of discount rates, revenue growth, and margin projections.Narrative Update • Nov 05
SO: Recent Equity Offering and Improved Margins Will Shape Future Performance
Analysts have raised their price target for Southern from $100.08 to $100.45 per share. They cited slight improvements in projected profit margins while also noting a marginal reduction in expected revenue growth.Narrative Update • Oct 22
Analysts Lift Southern Price Target on Higher Revenue Growth Despite Lower Margins
Analysts have raised their price target for Southern from $97.15 to $100.08, citing expectations for stronger revenue growth that modestly outweigh a slight decrease in profit margins. Valuation Changes Fair Value has increased modestly, rising from $97.15 to $100.08.Narrative Update • Oct 08
Southeastern US Electrification And Renewables Will Expand Future Markets
Narrative Update on Southern: Analyst Price Target Revision Analysts have slightly increased their price target for Southern by $0.41 to $97.15. This adjustment reflects modest improvements in expected revenue growth, even though the profit margin forecast is marginally lower.Analysis Article • Sep 08
The Southern Company's (NYSE:SO) Business Is Yet to Catch Up With Its Share Price
When close to half the companies in the United States have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") below 19x, you may...Analysis Article • Jul 05
Is Southern (NYSE:SO) A Risky Investment?
David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the...Seeking Alpha • Feb 21
Southern Company: Strong 2024 Earnings Reinforce Confidence In The Investment
Summary High-quality utility The Southern Company released its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results yesterday. In this update, I'll take a fresh look at Southern's operating fundamentals, focusing on customer relationships, energy demand, and profitability. I will also provide an update on debt and leverage, largely because of long-term interest rates, which appear rather unfazed by the Federal Reserve's recent rate-cutting measures. I will also touch on recent regulatory changes that should bode well for Southern's longer-term future. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Feb 14
The Southern Company's Good Fuel Mix
Summary The Southern Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operates in regulated utility sectors, primarily electricity but also natural gas. This $95.1 billion market cap company offers a 3.32% dividend. Its stock price increased due to its new nuclear units and heightened growth prospects in the electric utility sector generally. The company's beta is low at 0.51, showing less volatility compared to the overall market, typical for utilities. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jan 22
SOJF: A 6.5% Investment Grade Baby Bond IPO From The Southern Company
Summary The Southern Company's new 6.50% Junior Subordinated Notes — SOJF — are investment-grade, with a maturity date of 2085 and callable from 2030. SOJF offers a yield to maturity of 6.38% and is fairly priced compared to similar OTC-traded debt issues. SOJF is undervalued compared to similar exchange-traded debt issues, presenting a good diversification opportunity. SO's strong financials and consistent dividend history provide confidence in its ability to cover interest payments on this new debt. SOJF's market cap makes it a potential addition to the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index, influencing its market behavior. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jan 15
Southern Company: Solid Commercial Data Center Load Trends, Technical Support (Rating Upgrade)
Summary I am upgrading shares of The Southern Company due to a modest undervaluation and improved technical situation. Despite rising interest rates and natural disaster risks, SO's solid earnings growth and high dividend yield make it an attractive investment. SO's Q3 results were strong, with EPS beating estimates and revenue growth driven by higher utility revenues and AI demand. Technical analysis shows SO at key support levels, indicating a potential buying opportunity ahead of its Q4 earnings report next month. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Nov 01
Southern Company: One Of The Best Utilities At A Lofty Price
Summary The Southern Company has shown remarkable resilience, with a 64% return over three years, driven by demand for energy and successful management of Hurricane Helene's impact. Despite challenges from inflation and rising interest rates, the company expects steady EPS growth of 5-7%, benefiting from economic activity in its operating areas. However, SO stock's current valuation at 23x earnings raises concerns, making it less appealing compared to other income-generating options in the sector. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Oct 08
Southern Company Could Be Dead Money For The Foreseeable Future
Summary Southern Company is financially solid but quite overvalued, making it a poor investment opportunity. The company's dividend yield is at multi-decade lows, which indicates that shares are historically expensive vs. the company's organic growth and profitability. We recommend selling SO, locking in recent gains, and looking for opportunities elsewhere. We rate SO a 'Sell'. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Sep 28
The Southern Company: Time To Lock In Gains
Summary The Southern Company is a regulated utility benefiting from stable returns. However, it is not as dynamic as merchant power producers. Georgia's economic expansion and increasing power demand drive Southern's growth, but regulatory approvals and capital constraints limit the pace of growth. Southern's 3.1% dividend yield is below its historical average, raising scepticism about the sudden improvement in growth expectations. We believe it is time to lock-in some of the capital gains of this year. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Aug 19
The AI Factor: Southern Company's Pricey Power Play
Summary Southern Company has seen significant stock gains, driven by increased power demand from AI and data centers. Its strong earnings and nuclear energy investments are key factors. Despite these positives, the stock's current valuation is high, and its 3.3% yield may not appeal to income-focused investors. EPS growth projections suggest solid returns. With a lofty P/E ratio, better opportunities may exist elsewhere, such as in natural gas or land investments, which offer higher potential returns despite higher risk. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaRevenue & Expenses Breakdown
Revenue & Expenses Breakdown
How Southern makes and spends money. Based on latest reported earnings, on an LTM basis.
Earnings and Revenue History
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | G+A Expenses | R&D Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 26 | 30,175 | 4,363 | -609 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 25 | 29,553 | 4,341 | -612 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 25 | 28,913 | 4,459 | -612 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 25 | 28,363 | 4,283 | -610 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 25 | 27,853 | 4,606 | -611 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 24 | 26,724 | 4,401 | -610 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 24 | 26,428 | 4,722 | -605 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 24 | 26,134 | 4,608 | -603 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 24 | 25,419 | 4,243 | -598 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 23 | 25,253 | 3,976 | -595 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 23 | 26,255 | 3,034 | -611 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 23 | 27,653 | 3,085 | -625 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 23 | 29,111 | 3,354 | -641 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 22 | 29,279 | 3,524 | -656 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 22 | 27,999 | 3,396 | -634 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 22 | 25,859 | 3,024 | -612 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 22 | 23,851 | 2,290 | -590 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 21 | 23,113 | 2,393 | -569 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 21 | 22,463 | 2,995 | -531 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 21 | 21,845 | 3,147 | -492 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 21 | 21,267 | 3,386 | -455 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 20 | 20,375 | 3,119 | -415 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 20 | 20,172 | 3,173 | -378 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 20 | 20,547 | 3,237 | -342 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 20 | 21,025 | 3,523 | -303 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 19 | 21,419 | 4,739 | -267 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 19 | 21,842 | 4,576 | -259 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 19 | 22,006 | 4,424 | -251 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 19 | 22,535 | 3,372 | -302 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 18 | 23,495 | 2,226 | -235 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 18 | 23,786 | 2,443 | -176 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 18 | 23,828 | 2,349 | -117 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 18 | 23,632 | 1,122 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 17 | 23,031 | 842 | -235 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 17 | 22,584 | 544 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 17 | 22,647 | 613 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 17 | 21,675 | 2,617 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 16 | 19,896 | 2,448 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 16 | 18,283 | 2,522 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 16 | 17,420 | 2,341 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 Mar 16 | 17,298 | 2,348 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 Dec 15 | 17,489 | 2,367 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 Sep 15 | 17,938 | 2,379 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 Jun 15 | 17,876 | 2,139 | 0 | 0 |
Quality Earnings: SO has high quality earnings.
Growing Profit Margin: SO's current net profit margins (14.5%) are lower than last year (16.5%).
Free Cash Flow vs Earnings Analysis
Past Earnings Growth Analysis
Earnings Trend: SO's earnings have grown by 10.9% per year over the past 5 years.
Accelerating Growth: SO's has had negative earnings growth over the past year, so it can't be compared to its 5-year average.
Earnings vs Industry: SO had negative earnings growth (-5.3%) over the past year, making it difficult to compare to the Electric Utilities industry average (9.5%).
Return on Equity
High ROE: SO's Return on Equity (10.6%) is considered low.
Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
Discover strong past performing companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/31 11:49 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/29 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
The Southern Company is covered by 31 analysts. 17 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Jacob Kilstein | Argus Research Company |
| Daniel Ford | Barclays |
| Nicholas Campanella | Barclays |