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

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	PCG	SO
Company Name	PG&E Corporation	The Southern Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Electric Utilities
Market Capitalization	33.39 billion USD	103.93 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	December 31, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PCG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PCG	SO
5-Day Price Return	0.60%	1.76%
13-Week Price Return	-12.70%	5.38%
26-Week Price Return	-1.49%	10.00%
52-Week Price Return	-18.68%	7.89%
Month-to-Date Return	8.35%	0.00%
Year-to-Date Return	-24.73%	14.77%
10-Day Avg. Volume	26.39M	5.06M
3-Month Avg. Volume	24.05M	5.13M
3-Month Volatility	32.49%	13.13%
Beta	0.60	0.42

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

PCG

8.20%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Return on Equity of 8.20% 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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

PCG

9.96%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Net Profit Margin of 9.96% 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: 29.46%
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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

PCG

17.85%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.85% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PCG	SO
Return on Equity (TTM)	8.20%	12.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.81%	2.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	9.96%	15.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.85%	26.60%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.88%	40.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

PCG

0.94

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Current Ratio of 0.94 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

PCG

1.90

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electric Utilities industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.90. 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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

PCG

1.94

Electric Utilities Industry

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

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, PCG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.94 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	PCG	SO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.94	0.74
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.89	0.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.90	2.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.94	3.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

PCG 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

PCG 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)

PCG

0.59%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Dividend Yield of 0.59% is in the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

PCG

8.25%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 8.25% 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: 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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PCG	SO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.59%	2.85%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	8.25%	69.13%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

PCG

14.06

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s P/E Ratio of 14.06 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

24.24

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

PCG

1.40

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s P/S Ratio of 1.40 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

3.84

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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

PCG

0.98

Electric Utilities Industry

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

PCG’s P/B Ratio of 0.98 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: 2.99
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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	PCG	SO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	14.06	24.24
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.40	3.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.98	2.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	46.34	55.57