Southern Past Earnings Performance
Past criteria checks 2/6
Southern has been growing earnings at an average annual rate of 10.8%, while the Electric Utilities industry saw earnings growing at 6.2% annually. Revenues have been growing at an average rate of 5.4% per year. Southern's return on equity is 10.7%, and it has net margins of 14.7%.
Key information
10.84%
Earnings growth rate
9.89%
EPS growth rate
| Electric Utilities Industry Growth | 6.28% |
| Revenue growth rate | 5.36% |
| Return on equity | 10.73% |
| Net Margin | 14.69% |
| Next Earnings Update | 30 Apr 2026 |
Recent past performance updates
Recent updates
Southern Company: Positive Long-Term Clean Energy Pivot
Apr 29
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.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.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).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.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.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).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.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.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.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.The Southern Company's (NYSE:SO) Business Is Yet to Catch Up With Its Share Price
Sep 08
Is Southern (NYSE:SO) A Risky Investment?
Jul 05
Southern (NYSE:SO) Ticks All The Boxes When It Comes To Earnings Growth
May 15Southern Company: Strong 2024 Earnings Reinforce Confidence In The Investment
Feb 21The Southern Company's Good Fuel Mix
Feb 14SOJF: A 6.5% Investment Grade Baby Bond IPO From The Southern Company
Jan 22Southern Company: Solid Commercial Data Center Load Trends, Technical Support (Rating Upgrade)
Jan 15Southern Company: One Of The Best Utilities At A Lofty Price
Nov 01Southern Company Could Be Dead Money For The Foreseeable Future
Oct 08The Southern Company: Time To Lock In Gains
Sep 28The AI Factor: Southern Company's Pricey Power Play
Aug 19Why Southern Company Will Beat Guidance
Jul 09Revenue & 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 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 (14.7%) 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 10.8% 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 (-1.4%) over the past year, making it difficult to compare to the Electric Utilities industry average (11.5%).
Return on Equity
High ROE: SO's Return on Equity (10.7%) 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 | 2026/04/29 05:00 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/04/29 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
| 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
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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. 18 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 |