NEE vs. SO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at NEE and SO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | NextEra Energy, Inc. | The Southern Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry Group | Utilities | Utilities |
| GICS Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Electric Utilities | Electric Utilities |
| Market Capitalization | 190.43 billion USD | 106.96 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | December 31, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
NEE's market capitalization (190.43 billion USD) is substantially larger than SO's (106.96 billion USD), indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NEE 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.30% | 1.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.55% | 10.60% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 26.33% | 3.49% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 30.52% | 6.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.53% | -1.88% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.85% | 9.58% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 9.54M | 5.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 9.86M | 6.03M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.75% | 18.51% |
| Beta | 0.74 | 0.39 |
NEE's beta of 0.74 points to significantly higher volatility compared to SO (beta: 0.39), suggesting NEE has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NEE
13.05%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.23%
- Q3
- 14.01%
- Median
- 10.39%
- Q1
- 8.26%
- Min
- 1.81%
NEE's Return on Equity of 13.05% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SO
12.50%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 19.23%
- Q3
- 14.01%
- Median
- 10.39%
- Q1
- 8.26%
- Min
- 1.81%
SO's Return on Equity of 12.50% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NEE
24.93%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 30.48%
- Q3
- 17.33%
- Median
- 12.49%
- Q1
- 7.62%
- Min
- 2.81%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.93% places NEE in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
SO
15.36%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 30.48%
- Q3
- 17.33%
- Median
- 12.49%
- Q1
- 7.62%
- Min
- 2.81%
SO's Net Profit Margin of 15.36% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NEE
30.20%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 41.63%
- Q3
- 25.58%
- Median
- 19.06%
- Q1
- 12.35%
- Min
- 5.33%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.20% places NEE 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
25.77%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 41.63%
- Q3
- 25.58%
- Median
- 19.06%
- Q1
- 12.35%
- Min
- 5.33%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.77% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.05% | 12.50% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.37% | 2.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.93% | 15.36% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.20% | 25.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 40.04% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NEE
0.60
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.09
NEE's Current Ratio of 0.60 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
SO
0.65
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.09
SO's Current Ratio of 0.65 falls into the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
NEE
1.75
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.31
- Q3
- 1.92
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.00
NEE's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.75 is typical for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
SO
2.02
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.31
- Q3
- 1.92
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.00
SO's leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.02. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NEE
2.01
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 11.74
- Median
- 4.51
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, NEE's Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.01 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
SO
2.60
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 18.68
- Q3
- 11.74
- Median
- 4.51
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- -3.31
In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, SO's Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.60 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | 0.65 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.49 | 0.43 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 2.02 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.01 | 2.60 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 20.71% | 11.00% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 10.75% | 10.55% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.36% | -0.33% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.21% | 7.50% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 25.95% | -22.80% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -2.17% | -1.94% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 16.34% | 6.18% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 17.36% | 5.87% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NEE
2.46%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 4.39%
- Median
- 2.99%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
NEE's Dividend Yield of 2.46% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SO
2.82%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 4.39%
- Median
- 2.99%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
SO's Dividend Yield of 2.82% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NEE
68.48%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 137.57%
- Q3
- 84.53%
- Median
- 61.84%
- Q1
- 31.17%
- Min
- 0.00%
NEE's Dividend Payout Ratio of 68.48% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
SO
69.45%
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 137.57%
- Q3
- 84.53%
- Median
- 61.84%
- Q1
- 31.17%
- Min
- 0.00%
SO's Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.45% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.46% | 2.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 68.48% | 69.45% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NEE
27.87
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 36.63
- Q3
- 22.25
- Median
- 17.27
- Q1
- 11.07
- Min
- 3.46
A P/E Ratio of 27.87 places NEE 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.
SO
24.64
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 36.63
- Q3
- 22.25
- Median
- 17.27
- Q1
- 11.07
- Min
- 3.46
A P/E Ratio of 24.64 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NEE
6.95
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.99
- Q3
- 3.67
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.17
NEE's P/S Ratio of 6.95 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.
SO
3.78
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 6.99
- Q3
- 3.67
- Median
- 2.04
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.17
SO's P/S Ratio of 3.78 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NEE
3.06
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.06
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.34
NEE's P/B Ratio of 3.06 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.
SO
2.67
Electric Utilities Industry
- Max
- 3.06
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.34
SO's P/B Ratio of 2.67 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.87 | 24.64 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.95 | 3.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.06 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 59.31 | 191.34 |