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

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

Company Profile

SymbolNGGSO
Company NameNational Grid plcThe Southern Company
CountryUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorUtilitiesUtilities
GICS Industry GroupUtilitiesUtilities
GICS IndustryMulti-UtilitiesElectric Utilities
GICS Sub-IndustryMulti-UtilitiesElectric Utilities
Market Capitalization86.73 billion USD104.95 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateAugust 10, 2005December 31, 1981
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

NGG 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.

NGG’s market capitalization stands at 86.73 billion USD, while SO’s is 104.95 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.

NGG 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.

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NGG 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.

NGG
SO
Loading price history…
NGG vs. SO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
5-Day Price Return-1.10%-2.92%
13-Week Price Return-0.31%3.35%
26-Week Price Return12.65%-0.05%
52-Week Price Return24.74%3.04%
Month-to-Date Return-2.61%-3.72%
Year-to-Date Return11.96%6.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume9.32M5.98M
3-Month Avg. Volume7.64M5.67M
3-Month Volatility24.05%20.62%
Beta0.890.36

NGG’s beta of 0.89 points to significantly higher volatility compared to SO (beta: 0.36), suggesting NGG has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NGG

7.66%

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
13.38%
Q3
11.57%
Median
10.23%
Q1
8.14%
Min
5.82%

NGG’s Return on Equity of 7.66% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

SO

12.28%

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
16.78%
Q3
12.22%
Median
9.88%
Q1
8.29%
Min
2.48%

In the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, SO’s Return on Equity of 12.28% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NGG

22.58%

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
22.58%
Q3
16.48%
Median
13.17%
Q1
9.66%
Min
3.33%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.58% places NGG in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

SO

15.09%

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
24.34%
Q3
16.77%
Median
13.76%
Q1
9.08%
Min
1.00%

SO’s Net Profit Margin of 15.09% 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.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NGG

40.12%

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
28.14%
Q3
25.53%
Median
23.12%
Q1
18.56%
Min
12.00%

NGG’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.12% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

SO

25.23%

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
38.77%
Q3
25.23%
Median
21.36%
Q1
14.23%
Min
0.20%

SO’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.23% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
Return on Equity (TTM)7.66%12.28%
Return on Assets (TTM)2.73%2.84%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)22.58%15.09%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)40.12%25.23%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)--40.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NGG

0.97

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
1.35
Q3
1.00
Median
0.83
Q1
0.73
Min
0.56

NGG’s Current Ratio of 0.97 aligns with the median group of the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SO

0.65

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
1.91
Q3
1.17
Median
0.77
Q1
0.59
Min
0.45

SO’s Current Ratio of 0.65 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NGG

1.23

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
2.17
Q3
1.89
Median
1.52
Q1
1.23
Min
1.11

NGG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.23 is typical for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

SO

2.01

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
2.76
Q3
1.84
Median
1.58
Q1
1.11
Min
0.04

SO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.01. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NGG

4.29

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
4.42
Q3
3.47
Median
2.78
Q1
2.56
Min
1.82

NGG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.29 is in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

SO

2.60

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
5.72
Q3
3.81
Median
2.74
Q1
2.51
Min
1.97

SO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.60 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.970.65
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.900.42
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.232.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)4.292.60

Growth

Revenue Growth

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)-31.45%8.55%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)65.31%8.74%
3-Year Revenue CAGR38.40%-0.33%
5-Year Revenue CAGR31.89%7.50%

EPS Growth

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)-12.87%-0.42%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)28.15%-6.31%
3-Year EPS CAGR4.20%6.18%
5-Year EPS CAGR15.16%5.87%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NGG

2.54%

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
4.16%
Q3
3.37%
Median
3.02%
Q1
2.62%
Min
2.10%

NGG’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

SO

2.90%

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
5.08%
Q3
3.46%
Median
2.73%
Q1
2.12%
Min
0.45%

SO’s Dividend Yield of 2.90% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NGG

56.13%

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
89.44%
Q3
75.06%
Median
61.90%
Q1
56.60%
Min
44.95%

NGG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 56.13% is in the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SO

70.02%

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
91.63%
Q3
66.08%
Median
57.96%
Q1
30.39%
Min
0.00%

SO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 70.02% is in the upper quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.54%2.90%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)56.13%70.02%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NGG

22.13

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
25.81
Q3
23.06
Median
21.17
Q1
18.96
Min
17.54

NGG’s P/E Ratio of 22.13 is within the middle range for the Multi-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

24.15

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
33.72
Q3
24.15
Median
20.89
Q1
16.34
Min
5.77

SO’s P/E Ratio of 24.15 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.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NGG

5.00

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
5.12
Q3
3.58
Median
3.18
Q1
2.40
Min
0.74

NGG’s P/S Ratio of 5.00 is in the upper echelon for the Multi-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

3.65

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
7.13
Q3
3.99
Median
3.02
Q1
1.40
Min
0.30

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.65 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.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NGG

1.42

Multi-Utilities Industry
Max
3.81
Q3
2.41
Median
2.02
Q1
1.45
Min
1.16

NGG’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the lower quartile for the Multi-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

2.93

Electric Utilities Industry
Max
2.93
Q3
2.30
Median
1.79
Q1
1.51
Min
0.63

SO’s P/B Ratio of 2.93 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.

NGG vs. SO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Multi-Utilities and Electric Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolNGGSO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)22.1324.15
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.003.65
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.422.93
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)859.02188.51