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

Updated on October 13, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	SO	SRE
Company Name	The Southern Company	Sempra
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Multi-Utilities
Market Capitalization	105.80 billion USD	60.91 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 31, 1981	June 29, 1998
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of SO and SRE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SO	SRE
5-Day Price Return	2.44%	4.57%
13-Week Price Return	4.59%	25.33%
26-Week Price Return	3.91%	31.99%
52-Week Price Return	8.20%	14.54%
Month-to-Date Return	1.49%	3.76%
Year-to-Date Return	16.84%	6.43%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.69M	3.75M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.09M	3.88M
3-Month Volatility	11.97%	20.34%
Beta	0.45	0.74

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

SO

12.75%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 25.46%
Q3: 14.70%
Median: 10.64%
Q1: 6.99%
Min: 0.02%

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.

SRE

8.73%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 20.00%
Q3: 13.79%
Median: 9.45%
Q1: 7.88%
Min: 4.56%

SRE’s Return on Equity of 8.73% is on par with the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

SO

15.82%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 29.56%
Q3: 16.54%
Median: 11.20%
Q1: 7.30%
Min: 0.01%

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.

SRE

23.49%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 23.49%
Q3: 14.79%
Median: 9.24%
Q1: 4.19%
Min: -1.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 23.49% places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

SO

26.60%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 38.77%
Q3: 25.54%
Median: 18.87%
Q1: 14.12%
Min: 0.02%

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.

SRE

26.26%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 45.01%
Q3: 26.69%
Median: 19.18%
Q1: 7.66%
Min: -0.18%

SRE’s Operating Profit Margin of 26.26% is around the midpoint for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SO	SRE
Return on Equity (TTM)	12.75%	8.73%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.92%	2.79%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	15.82%	23.49%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.60%	26.26%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	40.04%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

SO

0.74

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.82
Q3: 1.23
Median: 0.98
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.13

SO’s Current Ratio of 0.74 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SRE

0.48

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 1.35
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.95
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.48

SRE’s Current Ratio of 0.48 falls into the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

SO

2.04

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.72
Q3: 1.90
Median: 1.27
Q1: 0.62
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.

SRE

1.22

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 3.03
Q3: 2.00
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.24
Min: 0.58

Falling into the lower quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry, SRE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.22 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

SO

3.01

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 9.89
Median: 3.33
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.

SRE

3.18

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 9.98
Q3: 5.96
Median: 3.48
Q1: 2.74
Min: 0.59

SRE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Multi-Utilities industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SO	SRE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.74	0.48
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.50	0.39
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.04	1.22
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.01	3.18

Growth

Revenue Growth

SO vs. SRE: 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

SO vs. SRE: 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)

SO

2.80%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.61%
Q3: 4.66%
Median: 3.55%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Yield of 2.80% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SRE

2.59%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 10.02%
Q3: 5.84%
Median: 4.22%
Q1: 2.96%
Min: 0.00%

SRE’s Dividend Yield of 2.59% 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 vs. SRE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

SO

69.13%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 140.33%
Q3: 84.46%
Median: 60.94%
Q1: 31.83%
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.

SRE

58.53%

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 161.38%
Q3: 101.19%
Median: 73.21%
Q1: 58.41%
Min: 31.93%

SRE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.53% is within the typical range for the Multi-Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SO	SRE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.80%	2.59%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	69.13%	58.53%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SO

24.68

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 34.39
Q3: 21.23
Median: 15.47
Q1: 10.17
Min: 3.08

A P/E Ratio of 24.68 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.

SRE

22.60

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 27.93
Q3: 20.57
Median: 15.98
Q1: 9.34
Min: 5.25

A P/E Ratio of 22.60 places SRE in the upper quartile for the Multi-Utilities industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SO

3.91

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.03
Q3: 3.06
Median: 1.89
Q1: 1.06
Min: 0.00

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.91 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.

SRE

5.31

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 5.00
Q3: 3.46
Median: 1.80
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.26

With a P/S Ratio of 5.31, SRE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Multi-Utilities industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

SO

2.97

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.97
Q3: 1.86
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.27

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.

SRE

1.56

Multi-Utilities Industry

Max: 2.52
Q3: 2.12
Median: 1.55
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.91

SRE’s P/B Ratio of 1.56 is within the conventional range for the Multi-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 vs. SRE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Multi-Utilities industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SO	SRE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	24.68	22.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.91	5.31
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.97	1.56
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	56.59	381.11