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

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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNEE vs SO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NEE +252.0% (+13.4%/yr)SO +156.2% (+9.9%/yr)NEE compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$352$256
NEE SO

NEE vs SO: by the numbers

  • NEE is the larger company ($171.70B vs $100.28B market cap).
  • NEE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.46 vs 21.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NEE converts more revenue to profit (32.04% vs 15.43% net margin).
  • NEE grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.51% vs 6.68% CAGR).
  • SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.40% vs 2.95%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNEESO
P/E ratio18.4621.06
Forward P/E20.4218.99
P/S ratio5.923.32
P/B ratio3.012.53
EV / EBITDA17.6513.07

Profitability

MetricNEESO
Gross margin62.80%29.81%
Operating margin29.49%24.19%
Net margin32.04%15.43%
ROE16.28%11.77%
ROIC3.98%4.15%

Dividends

MetricNEESO
Dividend yield2.95%3.40%
Payout ratio54.62%72.46%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNEESO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.51%6.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.31%5.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)70.34%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.11%9.54%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NEE or SO?
NEE has the lower trailing P/E: NEE trades at 18.46 and SO at 21.06. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NEE or SO?
Over the past five years, NEE grew revenue faster — NEE at a 11.51% CAGR versus SO at 6.68%.
Does NEE or SO pay a bigger dividend?
NEE yields 2.95% and SO yields 3.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NEE or SO more profitable?
NEE runs the higher net margin — NEE at 32.04% versus SO at 15.43%.
How have NEE and SO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NEE delivered 13.41% and SO delivered 10.10% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.