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Southern Co (SO)
NYSE:SO
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Southern Co (SO) AI Stock Analysis

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SO

Southern Co

(NYSE:SO)

Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$105.00
â–²(11.48% Upside)
Southern Co's overall stock score is driven by strong earnings call performance and positive technical analysis, despite challenges in financial stability due to high leverage and negative free cash flow. The valuation suggests potential overvaluation, but the dividend yield provides some investor appeal.
Positive Factors
Financial performance
SO's strong Q1 performance was driven by regulated investments and favorable weather, showcasing robust financial health.
Rate base growth
SO's imminent RFP wins unlock superior rate base growth compared to peers, positioning the company favorably in the utilities sector.
Regulatory clarity
The convergence of regulatory clarity and RFP-driven capital expenditure upside uniquely positions SO among utilities, enhancing growth prospects.
Negative Factors
Financial risk
Earnings below the lower limit of 9.5% ROE would have no recovery, indicating potential financial risk if performance targets are not met.
Higher expenses
Earnings performance was offset by higher operating and maintenance expenses, higher depreciation and amortization expenses, and higher interest expenses.
Regulatory risk
If the Georgia Power settlement agreement is not approved, there could be financial uncertainty as the company must file its next base rate case by July 1.

Southern Co (SO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Southern Co Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSouthern Company (SO) is a leading energy company based in the United States, primarily engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company operates through several subsidiaries and is involved in various sectors, including electric utilities, natural gas distribution, and renewable energy. Southern Company serves millions of customers across the Southeastern U.S. and is recognized for its commitment to clean energy solutions and sustainable practices.
How the Company Makes MoneySouthern Company generates revenue primarily through the sale of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company's revenue model is largely based on regulated utility operations, where it earns a return on investment approved by state utility commissions. Key revenue streams include retail electricity sales, natural gas distribution services, and long-term contracts for energy generation. Additionally, Southern Company invests in renewable energy projects and may receive incentives or subsidies for clean energy initiatives. The company has established partnerships with various energy firms and governmental bodies to enhance its service offerings and expand its renewable energy portfolio, further contributing to its earnings.

Southern Co Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Kilowatt-Hour Sales by Segment
Kilowatt-Hour Sales by Segment
Monitors electricity sales across different customer segments, highlighting demand trends and potential growth areas within residential, commercial, or industrial markets.
Chart InsightsSouthern Co's industrial segment is showing notable growth, driven by a 13% increase in data center demand, aligning with the company's strategic focus on expanding its capital plan. Despite a slight dip in year-over-year earnings, the company is experiencing strong retail electricity sales, up 3% in Q2 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This growth is supported by robust economic development and a significant capital plan expansion, indicating confidence in future load growth and customer demand.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Southern Co Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -0.75%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong overall performance with significant growth in adjusted earnings and retail electricity sales, as well as robust economic development and expansion of the capital plan. However, there were some negative aspects such as decreased year-over-year earnings and increased operating costs. Despite these challenges, the outlook remains positive with strong load growth projections.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Adjusted Earnings
Reported strong adjusted earnings results for the second quarter of 2025 with adjusted earnings per share at $0.92, $0.07 above the estimate.
Increased Retail Electricity Sales
Year-to-date, weather normal retail electricity sales were 1.3% higher than the first half of 2024. Year-over-year retail electricity sales increased by 3% from the second quarter of 2024.
Economic Development and Job Creation
Economic development activities in the second quarter included nearly $2 billion in capital investment and over 6,000 new jobs announced in service territories.
Capital Plan Expansion
Added $12 billion of state regulated capital into the 5-year base capital plan, increasing it from $63 billion to $76 billion.
Robust Load Growth Projections
Large load pipeline across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi remains well above 50 gigawatts of potential incremental load by the mid-2030s.
Negative Updates
Decreased Year-over-Year Earnings
Adjusted earnings per share was $0.18 lower than the second quarter of 2024.
Higher Operating Costs and Expenses
Performance was offset by higher operating costs, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization.
Current Year State Tax Credit Adjustments
Earnings were impacted negatively by current year state tax credit adjustments.
Company Guidance
During The Southern Company’s Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, the company provided strong guidance, emphasizing its robust financial performance and strategic outlook. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.92, which was $0.07 higher than the previous estimate but $0.18 lower year-over-year. Retail electricity sales were up 1.3% year-to-date compared to the first half of 2024, with a 3% increase in the second quarter of 2025 versus the same period in 2024. The company highlighted significant growth in industrial sales, particularly in the data center segment, which increased by 13% compared to the prior year. Southern Company also raised its five-year capital plan to $76 billion, up from $63 billion, with potential for an additional $5 billion, reflecting strong projected customer and load growth. Additionally, the company is on track to meet a 17% FFO to debt ratio in the latter part of the forecast horizon while maintaining a disciplined approach to funding and investment.

Southern Co Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Southern Co demonstrates solid revenue growth with a strong net profit margin of 16.5% and effective operational efficiency. However, the high leverage and negative free cash flow due to significant capital expenditures are concerns, indicating a need for careful cash flow management.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Southern Co exhibits solid revenue growth with a 4.2% increase in TTM compared to the previous annual figure. The gross profit margin stands at 45.4% TTM, indicating strong profitability. The net profit margin of 16.5% TTM is robust, and both EBIT and EBITDA margins reflect operational efficiency at 26.4% and 48.7% respectively. Overall, the company demonstrates stable profitability and efficient operations, although gross profit has slightly decreased compared to the previous year.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, indicating a high leverage level typical in the regulated electric industry. The return on equity is healthy at 13.6% TTM, reflecting effective use of shareholders' capital. The equity ratio of 22.8% suggests a moderate reliance on equity financing. While leverage is high, the company maintains a stable equity base and good returns for shareholders.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Operating cash flow remains strong at $9.73 billion TTM, although free cash flow is negative at -$39 million, mainly due to high capital expenditures. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is solid at 2.11, indicating good cash conversion from earnings. However, the decline in free cash flow growth is a concern, necessitating careful management of capital expenditures to improve cash generation.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue28.36B26.72B25.25B29.28B23.11B20.38B
Gross Profit13.85B13.34B11.71B10.63B10.25B9.90B
EBITDA13.68B13.24B11.78B10.31B8.39B9.22B
Net Income4.28B4.40B3.98B3.54B2.41B3.13B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets148.85B145.18B139.33B134.89B127.53B122.94B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.26B1.07B748.00M1.92B1.80B1.06B
Total Debt70.82B66.28B63.49B59.13B55.47B51.04B
Total Liabilities111.51B108.51B104.11B100.36B94.97B90.41B
Stockholders Equity34.01B33.21B31.44B30.41B28.16B28.26B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-1.08B833.00M-1.54B-1.62B-1.07B-745.00M
Operating Cash Flow9.22B9.79B7.55B6.30B6.17B6.70B
Investing Cash Flow-10.91B-9.40B-9.67B-8.43B-7.35B-7.03B
Financing Cash Flow1.75B-208.00M999.00M2.34B1.95B-576.00M

Southern Co Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price94.19
Price Trends
50DMA
92.35
Positive
100DMA
90.82
Positive
200DMA
87.87
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.54
Positive
RSI
51.27
Neutral
STOCH
35.66
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SO, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 94.19 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 94.84, above the 50-day MA of 92.35, and above the 200-day MA of 87.87, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.54 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 51.27 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 35.66 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for SO.

Southern Co Risk Analysis

Southern Co disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Southern Co reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Southern Co Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (56)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$45.06B16.939.87%3.54%4.46%8.68%
74
Outperform
$60.36B16.5313.03%3.30%5.84%36.33%
73
Outperform
$147.98B25.0411.84%2.99%18.80%-6.73%
72
Outperform
$52.21B21.149.29%4.36%7.60%55.99%
71
Outperform
$103.36B24.2612.89%3.08%8.53%-7.53%
66
Neutral
$96.63B20.329.60%3.38%4.07%9.94%
56
Neutral
AU$1.98B1.725.21%4.09%24.08%-117.07%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SO
Southern Co
94.19
9.69
11.47%
AEP
American Electric Power
112.86
19.36
20.71%
D
Dominion Energy
61.18
7.75
14.50%
DUK
Duke Energy
124.26
15.03
13.76%
EXC
Exelon
44.65
8.41
23.21%
NEE
NextEra Energy
72.24
-4.05
-5.31%

Southern Co Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Southern Co Announces Key Leadership Appointments
Neutral
Jul 23, 2025

On July 21, 2025, Southern Company announced significant leadership changes with the election of Mr. John M. Turner, Jr. as a new director, effective September 1, 2025, and the appointment of Matthew M. Kim as Comptroller, effective July 31, 2025. Mr. Turner, who has been with Regions Financial Corporation since 2017, will join Southern Company’s Board of Directors, while Mr. Kim, who has been with the company in various roles since 2015, will assume his new role with a base salary of $425,000 and specific incentive compensation targets.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Southern Co Appoints New CFO Amid Leadership Change
Neutral
Jul 11, 2025

On July 10, 2025, Southern Company announced the appointment of David P. Poroch as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective July 31, 2025. This change follows the retirement announcement of Daniel S. Tucker, who will step down from his role on the same date and continue as a senior advisor until October 1, 2025. Tucker will then transition to a consulting role with Southern Company Services, Inc. from October 2025 to September 2027, earning $300,000 annually for his services.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Sell with a $83.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Georgia PSC Approves Georgia Power Rate Plan Extension
Neutral
Jul 1, 2025

On July 1, 2025, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement involving Georgia Power Company, extending the existing alternate rate plan through December 31, 2028. This extension maintains the current retail base rates and return on equity, while allowing for separate proceedings to address storm damage costs incurred through 2025. The agreement also outlines the continuation of amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities, and sets guidelines for tax credit amortization and earnings sharing.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Southern Co Confirms Board and Approves Key Amendments
Neutral
May 27, 2025

On May 21, 2025, Southern Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where several key decisions were made. The election of the Board of Directors was confirmed, with all nominees receiving a majority of votes. Additionally, the stockholders approved the compensation for named executive officers and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. An amendment to the company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation was also approved, reducing the supermajority vote requirement to a majority vote. However, several stockholder proposals, including those concerning a simple majority vote, fossil fuel reliance, a net zero audit, and workforce civil liberties, were not approved.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Southern Co Issues $1.65 Billion Convertible Notes
Neutral
May 27, 2025

On May 23, 2025, Southern Company issued $1.65 billion in Series 2025A 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, maturing on June 15, 2028. These notes are unsecured and unsubordinated, with conversion options tied to the company’s stock performance and specific corporate events, potentially impacting the company’s financial strategy and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Southern Co Upsizes $1.45B Convertible Notes Offering
Neutral
May 21, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Southern Company announced the upsize and pricing of a $1.45 billion offering of its Series 2025A 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes, due June 15, 2028, in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The offering, which was increased by $200 million from the previously announced size, is expected to close on May 23, 2025. The company plans to use approximately $1.25 billion of the net proceeds to repurchase existing convertible senior notes and the remainder for general corporate purposes. This move is part of Southern Company’s strategy to manage its debt portfolio and optimize its capital structure, potentially impacting its stock market dynamics and stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Southern Co Announces $1.25 Billion Note Offering
Neutral
May 20, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Southern Company announced a private offering of $1.25 billion in convertible senior notes due June 15, 2028, with an option for initial purchasers to buy an additional $200 million. The proceeds are intended for repurchasing existing convertible notes and repaying commercial paper borrowings. This move is expected to impact the company’s stock market activity and conversion pricing, potentially affecting its market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Georgia Power Reaches Settlement on Rate Plan Extension
Neutral
May 19, 2025

On May 19, 2025, Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Public Interest Advocacy Staff reached a settlement agreement to extend the alternate rate plan through December 31, 2028. The agreement, pending approval, would maintain current base rates and retail return on equity, while addressing storm damage costs and regulatory asset amortization. The outcome of this agreement could impact Georgia Power’s financial operations and customer rates, with the Georgia PSC scheduled to vote by July 1, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (SO) stock is a Buy with a $96.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Southern Co stock, see the SO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 11, 2025