About The Southern Company
The Southern Company (SO) has been publicly traded since 1981, making it a 45-year-old public company. It operates in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, United States and employs approximately 29,502 people. With a market capitalization of $110 billion, SO is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $98.91
- Market Cap
- $110.72B
- 52-Week High
- $100.84
- 52-Week Low
- $83.09
- Sector
- Utilities
- Industry
- Utilities - Regulated Electric
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +14.32% | $86.52 | $98.91 |
| 2025 | +9.47% | $79.03 | $86.52 |
| 2024 | +21.72% | $64.93 | $79.03 |
| 2023 | +2.21% | $63.53 | $64.93 |
| 2022 | +8.24% | $58.69 | $63.53 |
| 2021 | +16.34% | $50.45 | $58.69 |
| 2020 | +0.63% | $50.13 | $50.45 |
| 2019 | +51.65% | $33.06 | $50.13 |
| 2018 | -3.75% | $34.35 | $33.06 |
| 2017 | +2.42% | $33.54 | $34.35 |
| 2016 | +9.92% | $30.51 | $33.54 |
| 2015 | -0.09% | $30.54 | $30.51 |
| 2014 | +25.24% | $24.38 | $30.54 |
| 2013 | +0.48% | $24.27 | $24.38 |
| 2012 | -3.55% | $25.16 | $24.27 |
| 2011 | +26.94% | $19.82 | $25.16 |
| 2010 | +20.72% | $16.42 | $19.82 |
| 2009 | -4.91% | $17.27 | $16.42 |
| 2008 | +0.02% | $17.26 | $17.27 |
| 2007 | +9.86% | $15.71 | $17.26 |
| 2006 | +11.68% | $14.07 | $15.71 |
| 2005 | +7.57% | $13.08 | $14.07 |
| 2004 | +16.16% | $11.26 | $13.08 |
| 2003 | +11.75% | $10.08 | $11.26 |
| 2002 | +17.62% | $8.57 | $10.08 |
| 2001 | +31.80% | $6.50 | $8.57 |
| 2000 | +48.71% | $4.37 | $6.50 |
| 1999 | -14.99% | $5.14 | $4.37 |
| 1998 | +18.15% | $4.35 | $5.14 |
| 1997 | +21.41% | $3.58 | $4.35 |
| 1996 | -2.93% | $3.69 | $3.58 |
| 1995 | +30.27% | $2.83 | $3.69 |
| 1994 | -3.86% | $2.95 | $2.83 |
| 1993 | +21.00% | $2.44 | $2.95 |
| 1992 | +19.37% | $2.04 | $2.44 |
| 1991 | +33.09% | $1.53 | $2.04 |
| 1990 | +4.04% | $1.47 | $1.53 |
| 1989 | +41.53% | $1.04 | $1.47 |
| 1988 | +9.85% | $0.95 | $1.04 |
| 1987 | -3.62% | $0.98 | $0.95 |
| 1986 | +24.39% | $0.79 | $0.98 |
| 1985 | +30.07% | $0.61 | $0.79 |
| 1984 | +29.22% | $0.47 | $0.61 |
| 1983 | +16.61% | $0.40 | $0.47 |
| 1982 | +47.57% | $0.27 | $0.40 |
Valuation
SO currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 25.0, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 20.0 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 3.0. The price-to-sales ratio is 3.7.
Dividends
The Southern Company pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.02%. This translates to $2.96 per share annually. The payout ratio of 75% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
SO has a beta of 0.41, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $83.09 to $100.84, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 19 analyst opinions, SO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $101.08 suggests 3.1% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Southern Company do? ▼
The Southern Company is a Utilities - Regulated Electric company operating in the Utilities sector. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, United States.
What sector is SO in? ▼
SO operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry.
When did SO go public? ▼
The Southern Company went public in 1981, making it a 45-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in SO 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in SO five years ago would be worth approximately $2,006 today, representing a 100.6% return.
Does SO pay dividends? ▼
Yes, The Southern Company pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.02%, which is $2.96 per share annually.
What is SO's market cap? ▼
The Southern Company has a market capitalization of $110 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is SO's P/E ratio? ▼
SO has a trailing P/E ratio of 25.0 and a forward P/E of 20.0, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is SO a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 19 opinions, SO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $101.08.
Last updated: 3/14/2026