The Southern Company (SO) vs Sempra (SRE)
A side-by-side comparison of The Southern Company and Sempra across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
SO
The Southern Company
$94.54UtilitiesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
SRE
Sempra
$88.55UtilitiesAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — SO vs SRE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30ySO +2692.7%SRE +3019.8%SRE compounded faster
SO SRE
SO vs SRE: by the numbers
- •SO is the larger company ($106.57B vs $57.89B market cap).
- •SO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.84 vs 28.29 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •SO converts more revenue to profit (15.43% vs 15.21% net margin).
- •SO grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.68% vs 3.09% CAGR).
- •SO pays the higher dividend yield (3.15% vs 2.94%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.84 | 28.29 |
| Forward P/E | 20.65 | 17.33 |
| P/S ratio | 3.57 | 4.25 |
| P/B ratio | 2.55 | 1.79 |
| PEG ratio | 3.83 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.51 | 15.72 |
| FCF yield | 2.76% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.81% | 30.61% |
| Operating margin | 24.19% | 25.03% |
| Net margin | 15.43% | 15.21% |
| ROE | 11.00% | 6.42% |
| ROIC | 4.36% | 2.56% |
Dividends
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.15% | 2.94% |
| Payout ratio | 75.63% | 94.73% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.68% | 3.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.96% | -15.72% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.20% | 9.65% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, SO or SRE?
- SO has the lower trailing P/E: SO trades at 22.84 and SRE at 28.29. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, SO or SRE?
- Over the past five years, SO grew revenue faster — SO at a 6.68% CAGR versus SRE at 3.09%.
- Does SO or SRE pay a bigger dividend?
- SO yields 3.15% and SRE yields 2.94% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is SO or SRE more profitable?
- SO runs the higher net margin — SO at 15.43% versus SRE at 15.21%.
- How have SO and SRE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, SO delivered 10.32% and SRE delivered 8.03% annualized total return. 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 August 1, 2026.