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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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	Electric Utilities	Electric Utilities
Market Capitalization	157.17 billion USD	103.93 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 21, 1973	December 31, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NEE	SO
5-Day Price Return	0.79%	1.76%
13-Week Price Return	6.68%	5.38%
26-Week Price Return	11.42%	10.00%
52-Week Price Return	-4.17%	7.89%
Month-to-Date Return	7.40%	0.00%
Year-to-Date Return	6.46%	14.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume	10.88M	5.06M
3-Month Avg. Volume	11.68M	5.13M
3-Month Volatility	30.05%	13.13%
Beta	0.66	0.42

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NEE

11.79%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 23.82%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 7.57%
Min: 1.03%

NEE’s Return on Equity of 11.79% 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: 23.82%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 7.57%
Min: 1.03%

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NEE

22.84%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.46%
Q3: 17.23%
Median: 11.43%
Q1: 7.33%
Min: -2.53%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.84% 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

15.82%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.46%
Q3: 17.23%
Median: 11.43%
Q1: 7.33%
Min: -2.53%

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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NEE

30.75%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 46.44%
Q3: 26.51%
Median: 19.26%
Q1: 11.77%
Min: 2.81%

An Operating Profit Margin of 30.75% 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

26.60%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 46.44%
Q3: 26.51%
Median: 19.26%
Q1: 11.77%
Min: 2.81%

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NEE	SO
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.79%	12.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.08%	2.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	22.84%	15.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	30.75%	26.60%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	40.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NEE

0.54

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.81
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.78
Min: 0.34

NEE’s Current Ratio of 0.54 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

0.74

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.81
Q3: 1.22
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.78
Min: 0.34

SO’s Current Ratio of 0.74 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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NEE

1.83

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.40
Q3: 1.83
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.00

NEE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.83. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

SO

2.04

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.40
Q3: 1.83
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.64
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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NEE

3.73

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 10.64
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.62
Min: -3.31

NEE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.73 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SO

3.01

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 10.64
Median: 3.32
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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NEE	SO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	0.74
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.45	0.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.83	2.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.73	3.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

NEE 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

NEE 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)

NEE

2.84%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 7.00%
Q3: 4.67%
Median: 3.84%
Q1: 2.48%
Min: 0.00%

NEE’s Dividend Yield of 2.84% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SO

2.85%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 7.00%
Q3: 4.67%
Median: 3.84%
Q1: 2.48%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Yield of 2.85% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NEE

75.25%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 150.16%
Q3: 88.91%
Median: 65.69%
Q1: 34.65%
Min: 0.00%

NEE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 75.25% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

SO

69.13%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 150.16%
Q3: 88.91%
Median: 65.69%
Q1: 34.65%
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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NEE	SO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.84%	2.85%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	75.25%	69.13%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NEE

26.51

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 39.85
Q3: 21.79
Median: 15.62
Q1: 8.97
Min: 3.03

A P/E Ratio of 26.51 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

24.24

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 39.85
Q3: 21.79
Median: 15.62
Q1: 8.97
Min: 3.03

A P/E Ratio of 24.24 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NEE

6.06

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.09
Median: 1.93
Q1: 1.14
Min: 0.15

With a P/S Ratio of 6.06, NEE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Electric Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

SO

3.84

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 5.96
Q3: 3.09
Median: 1.93
Q1: 1.14
Min: 0.15

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.84 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NEE

2.81

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.99
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.18

NEE’s P/B Ratio of 2.81 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

2.97

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.99
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.18

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NEE	SO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.51	24.24
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.06	3.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.81	2.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	41.99	55.57