American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) vs The Southern Company (SO)
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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
$133.02UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
SO
The Southern Company
$96.78UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AEP vs SO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAEP +1118.2%SO +2777.1%SO compounded faster
AEP SO
AEP vs SO: by the numbers
- •SO is the larger company ($109.10B vs $72.38B market cap).
- •AEP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.73 vs 24.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 (3.09% vs 2.83%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEP | SO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.73 | 24.68 |
| Forward P/E | 21.04 | 21.07 |
| P/S ratio | 3.30 | 3.61 |
| P/B ratio | 2.30 | 2.93 |
| PEG ratio | 0.91 | 4.14 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.21 | 13.78 |
| FCF yield | 10.47% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | AEP | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.81% | 29.81% |
| 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 | 2.83% | 3.09% |
| 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) | 41.49% | -14.36% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.60% | 12.97% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AEP or SO?
- AEP has the lower trailing P/E: AEP trades at 19.73 and SO at 24.68. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 2.83% and SO yields 3.09% 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%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Electric Power P/E ratioSouthern P/E ratioAmerican Electric Power dividend yieldSouthern dividend yieldAmerican Electric Power ROESouthern ROEAmerican Electric Power operating marginSouthern operating marginAmerican Electric Power revenue growthSouthern revenue growthAmerican Electric Power free cash flowSouthern free cash flow
American Electric Power & Southern appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.