The Southern Company (SO) Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 4.36%
Is The Southern Company’s return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
The Southern Company's return on invested capital (ROIC) of 4.36% is 16% above its 5-year average of 3.75%, near the high end of its 5-year range (2.75%–4.36%).
The return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO) is 4.36% as of Wednesday, June 10, 2026. It is above its 12-month average by 1.28% (4.30%).
SO Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
SO Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
SO Current vs Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
SO Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
4.36%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG TTM
4.30%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 3Y
4.00%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 5Y
3.75%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 10Y
3.62%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 15Y
3.87%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 20Y
4.21%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
+1.28%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
+9.00%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
+16.22%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
+20.38%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
+12.63%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
+3.56%
SO Competitors' Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Southern Company (SO) | — | 4.36% | 4.30% | 4.00% | 3.75% |
| Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) | $97.49B | 4.13% | 4.07% | 3.83% | 3.58% |
| American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) | $69.93B | 4.71% | 4.83% | 4.51% | 4.30% |
| Sempra (SRE) | $59.53B | 2.56% | 2.75% | 3.19% | 3.51% |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (D) | $58.73B | 3.41% | 3.13% | 2.58% | 2.44% |
| Entergy Corporation (ETR) | $50.95B | 3.55% | 3.37% | 3.76% | 3.53% |
| Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) | $48.76B | 3.77% | 3.71% | 3.95% | 3.99% |
| Exelon Corporation (EXC) | $46.67B | 3.97% | 3.95% | 3.68% | 3.14% |
| Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) | $39.65B | 3.24% | 3.36% | 3.27% | 3.54% |
| WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC) | $37.14B | 5.25% | 4.70% | 4.31% | 4.21% |
Capital Efficiency
ROIC
4.4%
ROE
11.8%
The Southern Company Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Formula & Definition
ROIC = NOPAT / Invested Capital
Return on invested capital measures the after-tax return a company earns on all capital (debt and equity) invested in the business.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
The Southern Company Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ
- What is the return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 4.36%.
- Is The Southern Company's return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
- The Southern Company's return on invested capital (ROIC) of 4.36% is 16% above its 5-year average of 3.75%, near the high end of its 5-year range (2.75%–4.36%).
- What is the TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 4.30%.
- What is the 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 4.00%.
- What is the 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 3.75%.
- What is the 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 3.62%.
- What is the 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 3.87%.
- What is the 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for The Southern Company (SO)?
- The 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for SO stock is 4.21%.
The Southern Company Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) History
| DATE | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 4.36% |
| 2024-12-31 | 4.25% |
| 2023-12-31 | 3.94% |
| 2022-12-31 | 3.45% |
| 2021-12-31 | 2.75% |
| 2020-12-31 | 3.76% |
| 2019-12-31 | 5.03% |
| 2018-12-31 | 3.22% |
| 2017-12-31 | 1.95% |
| 2016-12-31 | 3.21% |
| 2015-12-31 | 3.92% |
| 2014-12-31 | 3.76% |
| 2013-12-31 | 3.57% |
| 2012-12-31 | 4.85% |
| 2011-12-31 | 4.98% |
| 2010-12-31 | 4.94% |
| 2009-12-31 | 4.72% |
| 2008-12-31 | 5.21% |
| 2007-12-31 | 5.27% |
| 2006-12-31 | 5.41% |
| 2005-12-31 | 5.86% |
| 2004-12-31 | 5.90% |
| 2003-12-31 | 6.01% |
| 2002-12-31 | 5.87% |
| 2001-12-31 | 5.73% |
| 2000-12-31 | 5.16% |
| 1999-12-31 | 4.94% |
| 1998-12-31 | 4.01% |
| 1997-12-31 | 4.37% |
| 1996-12-31 | 9.25% |
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