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 30yNEE +1510.3%SO +589.7%NEE compounded faster
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 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNEE(lower P/E)
GrowthNEE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySO(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.88● | 24.04 |
| Forward P/E | 19.50 | 19.09● |
| P/S ratio | 6.37 | 3.51● |
| P/B ratio | 3.25 | 2.86● |
| PEG ratio | 1.26● | 4.03 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.38 | 12.54● |
| FCF yield | 1.32% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.32%● | 43.11% |
| 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 | 2.77% | 3.17%● |
| 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%● | -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.
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 June 13, 2026.