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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NEE
NextEra Energy, Inc.
$89.28UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
SO
The Southern Company
$96.78UtilitiesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — NEE vs SO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yNEE +4013.0%SO +2673.9%NEE compounded faster
NEE SO
NEE vs SO: by the numbers
- •NEE is the larger company ($186.20B vs $109.10B market cap).
- •NEE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.60 vs 24.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 (3.09% vs 2.68%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.60 | 24.68 |
| Forward P/E | 21.94 | 21.07 |
| P/S ratio | 6.58 | 3.61 |
| P/B ratio | 3.36 | 2.93 |
| PEG ratio | 1.31 | 4.14 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.48 | 13.78 |
| FCF yield | 1.27% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.32% | 29.81% |
| Operating margin | 29.20% | 24.15% |
| Net margin | 29.03% | 14.46% |
| ROE | 14.82% | 11.75% |
| ROIC | 4.23% | 4.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.68% | 3.09% |
| Payout ratio | 71.89% | 75.63% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.50% | 7.25% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.31% | 5.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 65.74% | -14.36% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.40% | 12.97% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NEE or SO?
- NEE has the lower trailing P/E: NEE trades at 22.60 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, 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 2.68% and SO yields 3.09% 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%.
- How have NEE and SO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NEE delivered 13.68% and SO delivered 10.77% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
NextEra Energy P/E ratioSouthern P/E ratioNextEra Energy dividend yieldSouthern dividend yieldNextEra Energy ROESouthern ROENextEra Energy operating marginSouthern operating marginNextEra Energy revenue growthSouthern revenue growthNextEra Energy free cash flowSouthern free cash flow
NextEra Energy & 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.