SO
UtilitiesThe Southern Company · Regulated Electric · $107B
What is The Southern Company?
The Southern Company is a large-cap utility holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving millions of electric and gas customers across the southeastern United States.
Southern Company generates, transmits, and distributes electricity while also operating natural gas distribution networks across Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, and Tennessee. Revenue comes from regulated utility operations, wholesale power sales, and gas marketing services. The company also holds renewable energy assets including solar, wind, and hydroelectric facilities, and operates digital communications infrastructure.
Incorporated in 1945, The Southern Company has grown into one of the largest energy providers in the country.
- Electric generation and distribution
- Natural gas distribution and pipeline operations
- Renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hydro)
- Wholesale gas and digital communications services
Is SO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SO as Below Average overall.
Valuation stands out as the strongest pillar for SO, suggesting the stock is not excessively priced relative to its fundamentals. Quality, Moat, and Growth each register as Neutral, reflecting the steady but unspectacular nature of regulated utility businesses.
The Risk pillar is rated Weak, which is the most notable drag on SO's overall score and warrants careful consideration for risk-conscious investors.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does SO pay dividends?
Yes — The Southern Company pays a dividend.
Southern Company pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented profile typical of large regulated utilities. The company's stable cash flows from regulated operations support ongoing dividend payments, making SO a common consideration for income-focused investors seeking utility exposure.
When does SO report earnings?
The Southern Company reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, standard for US-listed equities.
As a regulated utility, Southern Company's quarterly results tend to reflect rate-base growth, fuel costs, and weather-driven demand rather than dramatic swings. Investors typically monitor capital expenditure plans and regulatory outcomes as key indicators of performance direction.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit The Southern Company's investor relations page directly.
SO Price History
+71.6% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in The Southern Company?
Based on The Southern Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Southern Company do?
The Southern Company generates, transmits, and distributes electricity and natural gas to approximately 8.7 million customers. It operates across the southeastern US and holds a broad portfolio of power assets including nuclear, fossil fuel, solar, wind, and hydroelectric facilities.
Does SO pay dividends?
Yes, SO pays a regular dividend. Regulated utilities like Southern Company typically prioritize consistent dividend payments, supported by predictable cash flows from their rate-regulated operations.
When does SO report earnings?
Southern Company reports on a quarterly basis, as is standard for US-listed companies. For exact dates, check The Southern Company's investor relations page for the most current schedule.
Is SO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SO as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, but the Weak Risk pillar is a meaningful concern. Whether SO fits your portfolio depends on your income needs and risk tolerance. Pro members can view the complete pillar analysis.
Is SO overvalued?
Based on UQS Score's Valuation pillar, SO is rated Good, suggesting it is not considered overpriced relative to its fundamentals at current levels. Full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
What is SO's market cap bracket?
The Southern Company is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its scale as one of the largest regulated utility holding companies in the United States.
Is SO a long-term quality indicator?
As a long-term quality indicator, SO's UQS Score of Below Average reflects a mixed picture. Neutral scores across Quality, Moat, and Growth suggest stability without standout strength, while the Weak Risk pillar is a factor long-term investors should weigh carefully.
What sector does SO belong to?
SO belongs to the Utilities sector. Regulated utilities are generally characterized by stable revenues, dividend income, and sensitivity to interest rates and regulatory decisions rather than economic cycles.
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Pro Analysis
SO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 45.5 | 49.2 | 52.0 | 47.8 | 2.9 | 68.3 | -1.7 |
| May 10, 2026 | 47.2 | 32.8 | 52.0 | 47.8 | 38.9 | 70.6 | +0.1 |
| May 8, 2026 | 47.1 | 32.8 | 52.0 | 47.8 | 38.9 | 70.3 | +0.5 |
| May 7, 2026 | 46.6 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.6 | 8.0 | 69.0 | +0.2 |
| May 4, 2026 | 46.4 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.6 | 8.0 | 68.0 | 0.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 46.4 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.4 | 8.0 | 68.0 | -0.2 |
| May 1, 2026 | 46.6 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.4 | 8.0 | 69.0 | +0.1 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | 46.5 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.3 | 8.0 | 69.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 46.6 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.5 | 8.0 | 69.0 | +0.1 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 46.5 | 50.1 | 52.0 | 47.5 | 8.0 | 68.6 | +0.1 |
SO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 49.2/100 (25%)The Southern Company has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 47.9/100 (20%)The Southern Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 2.9/100 (15%)The Southern Company presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 68.1/100 (15%)The Southern Company trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 52/100 (25%)The Southern Company possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the SO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for The Southern Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses The Southern Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether The Southern Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.