NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) vs The Southern Company (SO)

NEE leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of NextEra Energy, 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).

Total return — NEE vs SO

growth of $100 · last 30y
NEE +1510.3%SO +589.7%NEE compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,610$690
NEE SO

NEE vs SO: by the numbers

  • NEE is the larger company ($179.32B vs $105.97B market cap).
  • NEE trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.88 vs 24.04 P/E).
  • NEE converts more revenue to profit (29.03% vs 14.46% net margin).
  • NEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.50% vs 7.25% CAGR).
  • SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 2.77%).

Which is better, NEE or SO?

Metric tally: NEE 9 · SO 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNEE(lower P/E)
GrowthNEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricNEESO
P/E ratio21.8824.04
Forward P/E19.5019.09
P/S ratio6.373.51
P/B ratio3.252.86
PEG ratio1.264.03
EV / EBITDA16.3812.54
FCF yield1.32%

Profitability

MetricNEESO
Gross margin67.32%43.11%
Operating margin29.20%24.15%
Net margin29.03%14.46%
ROE14.82%11.75%
ROIC4.23%4.36%

Dividends

MetricNEESO
Dividend yield2.77%3.17%
Payout ratio71.89%75.63%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNEESO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.50%7.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.31%5.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)65.74%-5.51%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.93%12.08%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NEE or SO?
It depends on your goal. value: NEE (lower P/E); growth: NEE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SO (higher dividend yield); quality: SO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NEE leads 9 to 7.
Is NEE or SO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NEE is cheaper: NEE trades at a 21.88 P/E and SO at 24.04.
Which has grown faster, NEE or SO?
Over the past five years, NEE grew revenue faster — NEE at a 10.50% CAGR versus SO at 7.25%.
Does NEE or SO pay a bigger dividend?
NEE yields 2.77% and SO yields 3.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NEE or SO more profitable?
NEE runs the higher net margin — NEE at 29.03% versus SO at 14.46%.
Which has been the better investment, NEE or SO?
Over the past 10-year, NEE delivered the higher annualized total return — NEE at 13.61% versus SO at 10.76%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.