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

Updated on August 29, 2025

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

Company Profile

SBS 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	SBS	SO
Company Name	Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP	The Southern Company
Country	Brazil	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Water Utilities	Electric Utilities
Market Capitalization	15.15 billion USD	102.61 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 10, 2002	December 31, 1981
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of SBS 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	SO
5-Day Price Return	1.26%	-1.42%
13-Week Price Return	-1.60%	3.74%
26-Week Price Return	16.98%	5.52%
52-Week Price Return	20.09%	7.85%
Month-to-Date Return	8.06%	-1.27%
Year-to-Date Return	32.25%	13.31%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.43M	4.22M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.04M	5.14M
3-Month Volatility	30.77%	12.94%
Beta	0.08	0.42

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

SBS

28.24%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 14.76%
Q3: 13.44%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 6.84%
Min: 5.11%

SBS’s Return on Equity of 28.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

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.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

SBS

33.53%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 33.53%
Q3: 23.04%
Median: 13.50%
Q1: 8.95%
Min: -3.68%

A Net Profit Margin of 33.53% places SBS in the upper quartile for the Water 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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

SBS

54.67%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 54.67%
Q3: 39.13%
Median: 31.40%
Q1: 24.32%
Min: 7.04%

An Operating Profit Margin of 54.67% places SBS in the upper quartile for the Water 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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	SO
Return on Equity (TTM)	28.24%	12.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.32%	2.92%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	33.53%	15.82%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	54.67%	26.60%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	16.67%	40.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

1.09

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 1.94
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.38

SBS’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Water 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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

0.72

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.48
Q3: 3.71
Median: 1.82
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.58

Falling into the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, SBS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 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: 3.40
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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

SBS

17.26

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 4.65
Median: 3.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.58

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.26, SBS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Water Utilities industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	SO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.09	0.74
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.08	0.50
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.72	2.04
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.26	3.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

SBS 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

SBS 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)

SBS

1.18%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.64%
Q3: 5.51%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: 2.37%
Min: 0.00%

SBS’s Dividend Yield of 1.18% is in the lower quartile for the Water 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.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

SBS

12.69%

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 324.59%
Q3: 254.46%
Median: 142.60%
Q1: 57.04%
Min: 12.69%

SBS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.69% is in the lower quartile for the Water 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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	SO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.18%	2.85%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	12.69%	69.13%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SBS

7.69

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 34.48
Q3: 27.82
Median: 18.45
Q1: 14.12
Min: 7.14

In the lower quartile for the Water Utilities industry, SBS’s P/E Ratio of 7.69 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SBS

2.58

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 5.86
Q3: 3.76
Median: 2.73
Q1: 2.16
Min: 1.04

SBS’s P/S Ratio of 2.58 aligns with the market consensus for the Water 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

SBS

1.82

Water Utilities Industry

Max: 4.29
Q3: 3.24
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.65

SBS’s P/B Ratio of 1.82 is within the conventional range for the Water Utilities industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SBS	SO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	7.69	24.24
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.58	3.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.82	2.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	39.10	55.57