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.

Compare

Total returnNEE vs SO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
NEE +4013.0%SO +2673.9%NEE compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,113$2,774
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

MetricNEESO
P/E ratio22.6024.68
Forward P/E21.9421.07
P/S ratio6.583.61
P/B ratio3.362.93
PEG ratio1.314.14
EV / EBITDA18.4813.78
FCF yield1.27%N/A

Profitability

MetricNEESO
Gross margin67.32%29.81%
Operating margin29.20%24.15%
Net margin29.03%14.46%
ROE14.82%11.75%
ROIC4.23%4.36%

Dividends

MetricNEESO
Dividend yield2.68%3.09%
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%-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.

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.