Southern Co. (SO) Reports Q3 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

Core Insights - Southern Co. reported revenue of $7.27 billion for the quarter ended September 2024, reflecting a 4.2% increase year-over-year and a surprise of +2.13% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.12 billion [1] - The company's EPS was $1.43, slightly up from $1.42 in the same quarter last year, with an EPS surprise of +7.52% compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 [1] Revenue Performance - Southern Power's operating revenues were $600 million, which is -8.1% lower than the estimated $661.14 million [3] - Southern Company Natural Gas reported operating revenues of $682 million, down -1% from the estimated $695.08 million [3] - Georgia Power's retail revenues reached $3.19 billion, exceeding the estimate of $2.85 billion, marking a +6.3% year-over-year change [3] - Georgia Power's wholesale revenues were $78 million, slightly below the estimate of $80.20 million, but showed a +13% increase year-over-year [3] - Other revenues from Georgia Power were $209 million, surpassing the estimate of $189.01 million, with a +21.5% year-over-year change [3] - Mississippi Power's other revenues were $13 million, exceeding the estimate of $10.92 million, reflecting a +30% change [3] - Southern Company Gas's gas distribution operations reported $616 million, below the estimate of $662.92 million, with a -0.2% year-over-year change [3] - Other operating revenues were $283 million, above the estimate of $254.22 million, showing a +27.5% year-over-year change [3] - Alabama Power's revenues were $2.14 billion, slightly above the estimate of $2.09 billion, with a +2.6% year-over-year change [3] - Georgia Power's total revenues were $3.47 billion, exceeding the estimate of $3.12 billion, marking a +7.3% year-over-year change [3] - Mississippi Power's revenues were $412 million, below the estimate of $448.88 million, reflecting a -5.5% year-over-year change [3] - Alabama Power's other revenues were $111 million, slightly above the estimate of $110.96 million, with a +7.8% year-over-year change [3] Stock Performance - Southern Co.'s shares have returned -2.4% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1% change [4] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [4]