Is AEP or SO cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AEP is cheaper: AEP trades at a 19.09 P/E and SO at 24.04.

Which has grown faster, AEP or SO?

Over the past five years, AEP grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.51% CAGR versus SO at 7.25%.

Does AEP or SO pay a bigger dividend?

AEP yields 2.93% and SO yields 3.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is AEP or SO more profitable?

AEP runs the higher net margin — AEP at 16.49% versus SO at 14.46%.

Which has been the better investment, AEP or SO?

Over the past 10-year, SO delivered the higher annualized total return — AEP at 10.61% versus SO at 10.76%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs The Southern Company (SO)

AEP leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of American Electric Power Company, Inc. and The Southern Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AEP

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

Total return — AEP vs SO

growth of $100 · last 30y

AEP +221.1%SO +589.7%SO compounded faster

AEP SO

AEP vs SO: by the numbers

•SO is the larger company ($105.97B vs $70.31B market cap).
•AEP trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.09 vs 24.04 P/E).
•AEP converts more revenue to profit (16.49% vs 14.46% net margin).
•AEP grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.51% vs 7.25% CAGR).
•SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 2.93%).

Which is better, AEP or SO?

Metric tally: AEP 10 · SO 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAEP(lower P/E)

GrowthAEP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)

QualityAEP(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	AEP	SO
P/E ratio	19.09●	24.04
Forward P/E	18.86	19.09
P/S ratio	3.19●	3.51
P/B ratio	2.22●	2.86
PEG ratio	0.88●	4.03
EV / EBITDA	14.05	12.54●
FCF yield	8.73%	—

Profitability

Metric	AEP	SO
Gross margin	40.39%	43.11%●
Operating margin	23.47%	24.15%●
Net margin	16.49%●	14.46%
ROE	11.49%	11.75%●
ROIC	4.71%●	4.36%

Dividends

Metric	AEP	SO
Dividend yield	2.93%	3.17%●
Payout ratio	56.76%	75.63%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AEP	SO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	7.51%●	7.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	8.45%●	5.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	38.55%●	-5.51%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	12.78%●	12.08%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AEP or SO?: It depends on your goal. value: AEP (lower P/E); growth: AEP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SO (higher dividend yield); quality: AEP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AEP leads 10 to 5.
Is AEP or SO cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AEP is cheaper: AEP trades at a 19.09 P/E and SO at 24.04.
Which has grown faster, AEP or SO?: Over the past five years, AEP grew revenue faster — AEP at a 7.51% CAGR versus SO at 7.25%.
Does AEP or SO pay a bigger dividend?: AEP yields 2.93% and SO yields 3.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AEP or SO more profitable?: AEP runs the higher net margin — AEP at 16.49% versus SO at 14.46%.
Which has been the better investment, AEP or SO?: Over the past 10-year, SO delivered the higher annualized total return — AEP at 10.61% versus SO at 10.76%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AEP analysis Full SO analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

American Electric Power P/E ratio Southern P/E ratio American Electric Power dividend yield Southern dividend yield American Electric Power ROE Southern ROE American Electric Power operating margin Southern operating margin American Electric Power revenue growth Southern revenue growth American Electric Power free cash flow Southern free cash flow

American Electric Power & Southern appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest FCF Yield Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.