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

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	SO	VST
Company Name	The Southern Company	Vistra Corp.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers
Market Capitalization	104.28 billion USD	70.21 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 31, 1981	October 5, 2016
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of SO and VST 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. VST: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SO	VST
5-Day Price Return	1.18%	-3.04%
13-Week Price Return	2.71%	1.09%
26-Week Price Return	5.30%	57.99%
52-Week Price Return	5.12%	66.43%
Month-to-Date Return	0.03%	3.60%
Year-to-Date Return	15.16%	42.10%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.25M	5.30M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.11M	4.89M
3-Month Volatility	11.81%	42.81%
Beta	0.45	1.32

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.

VST

46.24%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 25.91%
Q3: 13.69%
Median: 7.86%
Q1: 4.13%
Min: -6.69%

VST’s Return on Equity of 46.24% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.92%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 23.58%
Q3: 14.30%
Median: 8.59%
Q1: 5.08%
Min: -2.06%

A Net Profit Margin of 14.92% places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

22.38%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 31.45%
Q3: 22.28%
Median: 16.08%
Q1: 11.37%
Min: 4.97%

An Operating Profit Margin of 22.38% places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SO	VST
Return on Equity (TTM)	12.75%	46.24%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.92%	6.28%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	15.82%	14.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.60%	22.38%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	40.04%	8.71%

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.

VST

0.90

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 1.84
Q3: 1.25
Median: 0.81
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.27

VST’s Current Ratio of 0.90 aligns with the median group of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

4.00

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 4.71
Q3: 2.80
Median: 1.91
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.18

VST’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 4.00. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

5.47

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 10.03
Q3: 7.41
Median: 2.59
Q1: 1.32
Min: -1.62

VST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SO	VST
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.74	0.90
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.50	0.73
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.04	4.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.01	5.47

Growth

Revenue Growth

SO vs. VST: 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. VST: 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

2.83%

Electric Utilities Industry

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

SO’s Dividend Yield of 2.83% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

VST

0.74%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 7.43%
Q3: 5.56%
Median: 3.97%
Q1: 2.26%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Yield of 0.74% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

14.95%

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 113.12%
Q3: 82.87%
Median: 49.83%
Q1: 22.46%
Min: 0.00%

VST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.95% is in the lower quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SO	VST
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.83%	0.74%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	69.13%	14.95%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SO

24.39

Electric Utilities Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 24.39 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.

VST

28.53

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 43.87
Q3: 23.80
Median: 10.75
Q1: 8.70
Min: 4.34

A P/E Ratio of 28.53 places VST in the upper quartile for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SO

3.86

Electric Utilities Industry

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

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.86 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.

VST

4.26

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 7.59
Q3: 3.75
Median: 2.31
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.42

VST’s P/S Ratio of 4.26 is in the upper echelon for the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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 vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 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.

VST

13.64

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry

Max: 3.43
Q3: 2.06
Median: 1.40
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.33

At 13.64, VST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

SO vs. VST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electric Utilities and Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SO	VST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	24.39	28.53
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.86	4.26
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.97	13.64
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	55.92	44.15