The Southern Company (SO) vs Sempra (SRE)
SO leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of The Southern Company and Sempra 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 — SO vs SRE
growth of $100 · last 30ySO +589.7%SRE +937.0%SRE compounded faster
SO SRE
SO vs SRE: by the numbers
- •SO is the larger company ($105.97B vs $60.33B market cap).
- •SO trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.04 vs 29.49 P/E).
- •SRE converts more revenue to profit (15.21% vs 14.46% net margin).
- •SO grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.25% vs 3.09% CAGR).
- •SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.17% vs 2.81%).
Which is better, SO or SRE?
Metric tally: SO 10 · SRE 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSO(lower P/E)
GrowthSO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySO(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.04● | 29.49 |
| Forward P/E | 19.09 | 16.72● |
| P/S ratio | 3.51● | 4.43 |
| P/B ratio | 2.86 | 1.87● |
| PEG ratio | 4.03 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.54● | 14.44 |
Profitability
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.11%● | 30.61% |
| Operating margin | 24.15% | 25.03%● |
| Net margin | 14.46% | 15.21%● |
| ROE | 11.75%● | 6.42% |
| ROIC | 4.36%● | 2.56% |
Dividends
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.17%● | 2.81% |
| Payout ratio | 75.63% | 94.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.25%● | 3.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.96%● | -15.72% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.51% | 56.37%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.08%● | 8.73% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, SO or SRE?
- It depends on your goal. value: SO (lower P/E); growth: SO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SO (higher dividend yield); quality: SO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SO leads 10 to 5.
- Is SO or SRE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, SO is cheaper: SO trades at a 24.04 P/E and SRE at 29.49.
- Which has grown faster, SO or SRE?
- Over the past five years, SO grew revenue faster — SO at a 7.25% CAGR versus SRE at 3.09%.
- Does SO or SRE pay a bigger dividend?
- SO yields 3.17% and SRE yields 2.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is SO or SRE more profitable?
- SRE runs the higher net margin — SO at 14.46% versus SRE at 15.21%.
- Which has been the better investment, SO or SRE?
- Over the past 10-year, SO delivered the higher annualized total return — SO at 10.76% versus SRE at 8.73%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Southern P/E ratioSempra P/E ratioSouthern dividend yieldSempra dividend yieldSouthern ROESempra ROESouthern operating marginSempra operating marginSouthern revenue growthSempra revenue growthSouthern free cash flowSempra free cash flow
Southern & Sempra 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.