Southern (NYSE:SO) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Southern (NYSE:SO) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.23, Zacks reports. Southern had a net margin of 15.43% and a return on equity of 12.93%. The firm had revenue of $8.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.54 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis.

Southern Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SO traded up $0.38 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $93.50. 15,867,626 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,927,408. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $107.56 billion, a PE ratio of 22.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.30. Southern has a 12 month low of $81.69 and a 12 month high of $99.58. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $88.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.44.

Southern Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. Southern’s payout ratio is currently 72.90%.

Key Stories Impacting Southern

Here are the key news stories impacting Southern this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS of $1.94 topped the $1.71 consensus, while revenue of $8.84 billion exceeded the $8.38 billion estimate and rose 13% year over year. Separately, Southern reported GAAP earnings per share of $1.77, up from $1.55 a year earlier. Southern Co. Q3 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates Southern Company reports third-quarter 2026 earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year 2026 EPS guidance of $4.70 is above the $4.59 consensus, signaling a stronger annual outlook.
• Positive Sentiment: 2028 EPS guidance of $5.25–$5.45 matches consensus at the low end and exceeds it at the midpoint, suggesting potential for longer-term earnings growth.
• Negative Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.30 is below the $0.44 consensus, a near-term shortfall that could temper the positive reaction to the quarterly beat.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently issued reports on SO. Bank of America lowered their target price on Southern from $100.00 to $92.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Citigroup dropped their target price on Southern from $114.00 to $104.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Southern in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Southern from $101.00 to $98.00 in a research note on Monday, October 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Southern from $96.00 to $95.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 20th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $97.24.

Southern Company Profile

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is an energy holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through its subsidiaries, the company generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity, while also providing natural gas distribution and related energy services.

Southern’s electric utility operations include Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power, which serve customers across Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. The company’s generation portfolio includes nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric and renewable energy resources.