The Southern Company (SO) Debt to Equity Ratio: 1.83
Is The Southern Company’s debt to equity ratio high or low?
The Southern Company's debt to equity ratio of 1.83 is in line with its 5-year average of 1.93, near the low end of its 5-year range (1.81–2.02).
The debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO) is 1.83 as of Wednesday, June 10, 2026. It is below its 12-month average by 4.44% (1.92).
SO Debt to Equity Ratio Chart
SO Average Debt to Equity Ratio Chart
SO Current vs Average Debt to Equity Ratio Chart
SO Debt to Equity Ratio Metrics
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO
1.83
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG TTM
1.92
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG 3Y
1.95
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG 5Y
1.93
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG 10Y
1.86
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG 15Y
1.65
DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO AVG 20Y
1.56
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-4.44%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-6.03%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-5.10%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-1.66%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
+11.16%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
+17.16%
SO Competitors' Debt to Equity Ratio
| NAME | MARKET CAP | DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Southern Company (SO) | — | 1.83 | 1.92 | 1.95 | 1.93 |
| Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) | $97.49B | 1.75 | 1.73 | 1.65 | 1.55 |
| American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) | $69.93B | 1.61 | 1.66 | 1.70 | 1.68 |
| Sempra (SRE) | $59.53B | 1.15 | 1.15 | 1.11 | 1.07 |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (D) | $58.73B | 1.68 | 1.60 | 1.58 | 1.54 |
| Entergy Corporation (ETR) | $50.95B | 1.80 | 1.86 | 1.89 | 2.01 |
| Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) | $48.76B | 1.47 | 1.51 | 1.53 | 1.54 |
| Exelon Corporation (EXC) | $46.67B | 1.76 | 1.75 | 1.71 | 1.50 |
| Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) | $39.65B | 1.19 | 1.23 | 1.21 | 1.24 |
| WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC) | $37.14B | 1.64 | 1.64 | 1.60 | 1.53 |
Financial Health
Debt/Equity
1.83
Current Ratio
0.65
The Southern Company Debt to Equity Ratio Formula & Definition
Debt to Equity measures financial leverage by comparing total debt to shareholders' equity.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
The Southern Company Debt to Equity Ratio FAQ
- What is the debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.83.
- Is The Southern Company's debt to equity ratio high or low?
- The Southern Company's debt to equity ratio of 1.83 is in line with its 5-year average of 1.93, near the low end of its 5-year range (1.81–2.02).
- What is the TTM average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The TTM average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.92.
- What is the 3Y average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 3Y average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.95.
- What is the 5Y average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 5Y average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.93.
- What is the 10Y average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 10Y average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.86.
- What is the 15Y average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 15Y average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.65.
- What is the 20Y average debt to equity ratio for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 20Y average debt to equity ratio for SO stock is 1.56.
The Southern Company Debt to Equity Ratio History
| DATE | DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 1.83 |
| 2024-12-31 | 2.00 |
| 2023-12-31 | 2.02 |
| 2022-12-31 | 1.94 |
| 2021-12-31 | 1.97 |
| 2020-12-31 | 1.81 |
| 2019-12-31 | 1.75 |
| 2018-12-31 | 1.87 |
| 2017-12-31 | 2.07 |
| 2016-12-31 | 1.86 |
| 2015-12-31 | 1.35 |
| 2014-12-31 | 1.18 |
| 2013-12-31 | 1.16 |
| 2012-12-31 | 1.16 |
| 2011-12-31 | 1.14 |
| 2010-12-31 | 1.23 |
| 2009-12-31 | 1.28 |
| 2008-12-31 | 1.31 |
| 2007-12-31 | 1.23 |
| 2006-12-31 | 1.31 |
| 2005-12-31 | 1.33 |
| 2004-12-31 | 1.28 |
| 2003-12-31 | 1.14 |
| 2002-12-31 | 1.26 |
| 2001-12-31 | 1.27 |
| 2000-12-31 | 0.87 |
| 1999-12-31 | 1.00 |
| 1998-12-31 | 1.36 |
| 1997-12-31 | 1.29 |
| 1996-12-31 | 0.94 |
Related Metrics
About The Southern Company
The Southern Company operates as an energy utility, primarily involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Its operations are segmented into Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, Wholesale Gas Services, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also undertakes the development, construction, acquisition, ownership, and management of various power generation assets, including renewable energy ventures, and supplies electricity to the wholesale market. Complementing its power business, it distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, while also offering gas marketing services, wholesale gas services, and managing gas pipeline investments. Its extensive portfolio of generating assets includes 30 hydroelectric, 24 fossil fuel, three nuclear, 13 combined cycle/cogeneration, 45 solar, 15 wind, one fuel cell, and four battery storage facilities. In terms of natural gas infrastructure, the company builds, operates, and maintains 76,289 miles of pipelines and 14 storage facilities with a total capacity of 157 billion cubic feet, delivering natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. The Southern Company serves approximately 8.7 million electric and gas utility customers in total. Furthermore, it provides digital wireless communications and fiber optics services. The company was founded in 1945 and maintains its corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Sector
- Utilities
- Industry
- Regulated Electric
- CEO
- Christopher C. Womack