EBR vs. SO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 3, 2025

Here’s a clear look at EBR and SO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

EBR trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, SO is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	EBR	SO
Company Name	Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobrás	The Southern Company
Country	Brazil	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Electric Utilities
Market Capitalization	21.39 billion USD	104.28 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 19, 2008	December 31, 1981
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of EBR and SO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

EBR vs. SO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	EBR	SO
5-Day Price Return	3.95%	1.18%
13-Week Price Return	25.02%	2.71%
26-Week Price Return	22.69%	5.30%
52-Week Price Return	26.24%	5.12%
Month-to-Date Return	16.24%	0.03%
Year-to-Date Return	46.59%	15.16%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.90M	6.25M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.49M	5.11M
3-Month Volatility	28.94%	11.81%
Beta	-0.20	0.45

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

EBR

8.10%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 25.46%
Q3: 14.70%
Median: 10.64%
Q1: 6.99%
Min: 0.02%

EBR’s Return on Equity of 8.10% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

SO

12.75%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 25.46%
Q3: 14.70%
Median: 10.64%
Q1: 6.99%
Min: 0.02%

SO’s Return on Equity of 12.75% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

EBR

9.53%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.56%
Q3: 16.54%
Median: 11.20%
Q1: 7.30%
Min: 0.01%

EBR’s Net Profit Margin of 9.53% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

SO

15.82%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.56%
Q3: 16.54%
Median: 11.20%
Q1: 7.30%
Min: 0.01%

SO’s Net Profit Margin of 15.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

EBR

27.02%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 38.77%
Q3: 25.54%
Median: 18.87%
Q1: 14.12%
Min: 0.02%

An Operating Profit Margin of 27.02% places EBR in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

SO

26.60%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 38.77%
Q3: 25.54%
Median: 18.87%
Q1: 14.12%
Min: 0.02%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.60% places SO in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	EBR	SO
Return on Equity (TTM)	8.10%	12.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.44%	2.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.53%	15.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	27.02%	26.60%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	53.96%	40.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

EBR

2.29

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.82
Q3: 1.23
Median: 0.98
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.13

EBR’s Current Ratio of 2.29 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

SO

0.74

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.82
Q3: 1.23
Median: 0.98
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.13

SO’s Current Ratio of 0.74 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

EBR

0.58

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 1.90
Median: 1.27
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, EBR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

SO

2.04

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 1.90
Median: 1.27
Q1: 0.62
Min: 0.00

SO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.04. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

EBR

256.14

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 9.89
Median: 3.33
Q1: 2.62
Min: -3.31

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 256.14, EBR demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

SO

3.01

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 9.89
Median: 3.33
Q1: 2.62
Min: -3.31

SO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	EBR	SO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.29	0.74
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.27	0.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.58	2.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	256.14	3.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

EBR vs. SO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

EBR vs. SO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

EBR

3.06%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.61%
Q3: 4.66%
Median: 3.55%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: 0.00%

EBR’s Dividend Yield of 3.06% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SO

2.83%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.61%
Q3: 4.66%
Median: 3.55%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Yield of 2.83% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

EBR

14.87%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 140.33%
Q3: 84.46%
Median: 60.94%
Q1: 31.83%
Min: 0.00%

EBR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.87% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SO

69.13%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 140.33%
Q3: 84.46%
Median: 60.94%
Q1: 31.83%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.13% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	EBR	SO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.06%	2.83%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	14.87%	69.13%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

EBR

12.60

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 21.23
Median: 15.47
Q1: 10.17
Min: 3.08

EBR’s P/E Ratio of 12.60 is within the middle range for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

SO

24.39

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 21.23
Median: 15.47
Q1: 10.17
Min: 3.08

A P/E Ratio of 24.39 places SO in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

EBR

2.82

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.03
Q3: 3.06
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.06
Min: 0.00

EBR’s P/S Ratio of 2.82 aligns with the market consensus for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

SO

3.86

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.03
Q3: 3.06
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.06
Min: 0.00

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.86 is in the upper echelon for the Electric Utilities industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

EBR

0.78

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.97
Q3: 1.86
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.27

EBR’s P/B Ratio of 0.78 is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

SO

2.97

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.97
Q3: 1.86
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.27

SO’s P/B Ratio of 2.97 is in the upper tier for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

EBR vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	EBR	SO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	12.60	24.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.82	3.86
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.78	2.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	10.93	55.92