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

Updated on November 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	SO	XEL
Company Name	The Southern Company	Xcel Energy Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Utilities	Utilities
GICS Industry	Electric Utilities	Electric Utilities
Market Capitalization	99.85 billion USD	48.25 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	December 31, 1981	February 21, 1973
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	SO	XEL
5-Day Price Return	-0.61%	0.22%
13-Week Price Return	-2.44%	12.03%
26-Week Price Return	6.68%	17.96%
52-Week Price Return	4.38%	17.38%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.68%	-0.73%
Year-to-Date Return	10.03%	19.34%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.55M	5.17M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.26M	4.44M
3-Month Volatility	13.42%	18.52%
Beta	0.45	0.47

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

SO

13.11%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 23.26%
Q3: 15.09%
Median: 10.59%
Q1: 6.99%
Min: -0.30%

SO’s Return on Equity of 13.11% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

XEL

9.40%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 23.26%
Q3: 15.09%
Median: 10.59%
Q1: 6.99%
Min: -0.30%

XEL’s Return on Equity of 9.40% is on par with the norm for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

SO

16.15%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 31.47%
Q3: 17.33%
Median: 11.03%
Q1: 7.47%
Min: -3.66%

SO’s Net Profit Margin of 16.15% 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.

XEL

13.51%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 31.47%
Q3: 17.33%
Median: 11.03%
Q1: 7.47%
Min: -3.66%

XEL’s Net Profit Margin of 13.51% 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 vs. XEL: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Electric Utilities industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

SO

26.90%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 44.32%
Q3: 25.44%
Median: 18.95%
Q1: 12.27%
Min: 0.08%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.90% 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.

XEL

16.58%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 44.32%
Q3: 25.44%
Median: 18.95%
Q1: 12.27%
Min: 0.08%

XEL’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.58% is around the midpoint for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	SO	XEL
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.11%	9.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.00%	2.58%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.15%	13.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	26.90%	16.58%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	40.04%	40.44%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

SO

0.75

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.56
Q3: 1.15
Median: 0.97
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.30

SO’s Current Ratio of 0.75 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.

XEL

0.79

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 1.56
Q3: 1.15
Median: 0.97
Q1: 0.77
Min: 0.30

XEL’s Current Ratio of 0.79 aligns with the median group of the Electric Utilities industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

SO

2.07

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.47
Q3: 1.87
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 2.07. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

XEL

1.64

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 3.47
Q3: 1.87
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.00

XEL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.64 is typical for the Electric Utilities industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

SO

3.01

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 9.38
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.57
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.

XEL

2.32

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 18.68
Q3: 9.38
Median: 3.32
Q1: 2.57
Min: -3.31

In the lower quartile for the Electric Utilities industry, XEL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.32 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	SO	XEL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.75	0.79
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	0.53
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.07	1.64
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.01	2.32

Growth

Revenue Growth

SO vs. XEL: 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. XEL: 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

3.00%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.61%
Q3: 4.63%
Median: 3.38%
Q1: 2.30%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Yield of 3.00% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

XEL

2.64%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.61%
Q3: 4.63%
Median: 3.38%
Q1: 2.30%
Min: 0.00%

XEL’s Dividend Yield of 2.64% is consistent with its peers in the Electric Utilities industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

SO

67.01%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 140.33%
Q3: 85.57%
Median: 63.88%
Q1: 34.29%
Min: 0.00%

SO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 67.01% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

XEL

65.69%

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 140.33%
Q3: 85.57%
Median: 63.88%
Q1: 34.29%
Min: 0.00%

XEL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.69% is within the typical range for the Electric Utilities industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	SO	XEL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.00%	2.64%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	67.01%	65.69%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

SO

22.37

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 33.63
Q3: 21.86
Median: 17.07
Q1: 10.96
Min: 3.11

A P/E Ratio of 22.37 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.

XEL

24.88

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 33.63
Q3: 21.86
Median: 17.07
Q1: 10.96
Min: 3.11

A P/E Ratio of 24.88 places XEL 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

SO

3.61

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.73
Q3: 3.36
Median: 1.96
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.01

SO’s P/S Ratio of 3.61 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.

XEL

3.36

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 6.73
Q3: 3.36
Median: 1.96
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.01

XEL’s P/S Ratio of 3.36 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

SO

2.98

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.98
Q3: 1.95
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.37

SO’s P/B Ratio of 2.98 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.

XEL

2.25

Electric Utilities Industry

Max: 2.98
Q3: 1.95
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.37

XEL’s P/B Ratio of 2.25 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	SO	XEL
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.37	24.88
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.61	3.36
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.98	2.25
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	178.42	90.06