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 30y
SO +589.7%SRE +937.0%SRE compounded faster
2004006008001k1kStart $100200120062011201620212026$690$1,037
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 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSO(lower P/E)
GrowthSO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricSOSRE
P/E ratio24.0429.49
Forward P/E19.0916.72
P/S ratio3.514.43
P/B ratio2.861.87
PEG ratio4.03
EV / EBITDA12.5414.44

Profitability

MetricSOSRE
Gross margin43.11%30.61%
Operating margin24.15%25.03%
Net margin14.46%15.21%
ROE11.75%6.42%
ROIC4.36%2.56%

Dividends

MetricSOSRE
Dividend yield3.17%2.81%
Payout ratio75.63%94.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSOSRE
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.

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.