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American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO)

This page compares American Electric Power (AEP) with Southern Company (SO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

American Electric Power (AEP) and Southern Company (SO) are both classified in the Electric Utilities sub-industry within the broader Electric Utilities industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolAEPSO
NameAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc.The Southern Company
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS Industry GroupUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryElectric UtilitiesElectric Utilities
GICS Sub-IndustryElectric UtilitiesElectric Utilities
Market Capitalization69.51 billion USD104.78 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962December 31, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

American Electric Power (AEP) at 18.90 carries typical industry Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Southern Company (SO) at 23.77 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — SO carries a higher trailing earnings multiple relative to peers.

AEP

Utilities industry group

18.90

Max
30.91
Q3
23.05
Median
19.74
Q1
16.24
Min
6.30

SO

Utilities industry group

23.77

Max
30.91
Q3
23.05
Median
19.74
Q1
16.24
Min
6.30
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both American Electric Power (AEP) at 3.10 and Southern Company (SO) at 3.47 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

AEP

Utilities industry group

3.10

Max
6.35
Q3
3.56
Median
2.54
Q1
1.63
Min
0.00

SO

Utilities industry group

3.47

Max
6.35
Q3
3.56
Median
2.54
Q1
1.63
Min
0.00
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

American Electric Power (AEP) at 2.18 is valued about in line with its industry on Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Southern Company (SO) at 2.82 carries a peer-beating premium to book — SO is pricier on assets.

AEP

Utilities industry group

2.18

Max
3.72
Q3
2.42
Median
1.87
Q1
1.40
Min
0.34

SO

Utilities industry group

2.82

Max
3.72
Q3
2.42
Median
1.87
Q1
1.40
Min
0.34
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)18.9023.77
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)3.103.47
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.182.82
Free Cash Flow Yield-10.00%-3.77%

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

American Electric Power (AEP) at 12.59% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Southern Company (SO) at 10.99%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

AEP

Utilities industry group

12.59%

Max
16.11%
Q3
11.15%
Median
9.46%
Q1
7.50%
Min
2.67%

SO

Utilities industry group

10.99%

Max
16.11%
Q3
11.15%
Median
9.46%
Q1
7.50%
Min
2.67%
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 16.29% and Southern Company (SO) at 14.46% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

AEP

Utilities industry group

16.29%

Max
29.37%
Q3
17.31%
Median
12.55%
Q1
9.24%
Min
-0.65%

SO

Utilities industry group

14.46%

Max
29.37%
Q3
17.31%
Median
12.55%
Q1
9.24%
Min
-0.65%
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 23.74% and Southern Company (SO) at 25.82% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

AEP

Utilities industry group

23.74%

Max
43.52%
Q3
30.09%
Median
23.50%
Q1
16.61%
Min
0.00%

SO

Utilities industry group

25.82%

Max
43.52%
Q3
30.09%
Median
23.50%
Q1
16.61%
Min
0.00%
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
Return on Equity (TTM)12.59%10.99%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.17%3.24%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)16.29%14.46%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)23.74%25.82%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)47.24%48.00%

Growth

Revenue Growth

American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
1-Year Revenue Growth10.93%10.59%
3-Year Revenue CAGR3.66%0.31%

EPS Growth

American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
1-Year EPS Growth19.35%-1.75%
3-Year EPS CAGR14.04%6.34%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 0.53 and Southern Company (SO) at 0.65 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

AEP

Utilities industry group

0.53

Max
1.88
Q3
1.16
Median
0.90
Q1
0.65
Min
0.33

SO

Utilities industry group

0.65

Max
1.88
Q3
1.16
Median
0.90
Q1
0.65
Min
0.33
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

American Electric Power (AEP) at 1.57 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Southern Company (SO) at 1.90 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

AEP

Utilities industry group

1.57

Max
3.02
Q3
1.81
Median
1.34
Q1
0.85
Min
0.00

SO

Utilities industry group

1.90

Max
3.02
Q3
1.81
Median
1.34
Q1
0.85
Min
0.00
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.530.65
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.571.90
Net Debt / EBITDA5.615.37

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both American Electric Power (AEP) at 2.97% and Southern Company (SO) at 3.27% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

AEP

Utilities industry group

2.97%

Max
6.20%
Q3
4.04%
Median
3.14%
Q1
2.36%
Min
0.00%

SO

Utilities industry group

3.27%

Max
6.20%
Q3
4.04%
Median
3.14%
Q1
2.36%
Min
0.00%
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

American Electric Power (AEP) at 55.62% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Southern Company (SO) at 75.70% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.

AEP

Utilities industry group

55.62%

Max
116.67%
Q3
73.40%
Median
58.69%
Q1
36.87%
Min
0.00%

SO

Utilities industry group

75.70%

Max
116.67%
Q3
73.40%
Median
58.69%
Q1
36.87%
Min
0.00%
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Utilities industry group benchmark.

Dividends at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.97%3.27%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)55.62%75.70%

Performance & Risk

AEP
SO
Loading price history…
American Electric Power (AEP) vs. Southern Company (SO): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Performance & Risk at a Glance

SymbolAEPSO
1-Year Return28.48%6.80%
1-Year Volatility18.36%16.10%
Beta0.530.35
3-Month Avg. Volume3.81M5.21M