Southern Co. (SO) Reports Q4 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

Core Viewpoint - Southern Co. reported a revenue of $6.34 billion for the quarter ended December 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.9% and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.22 billion by 1.96% [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.50, down from $0.64 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of -1.96% against the consensus estimate of $0.51 [1] - The stock has returned +4.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.6% change, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [3] Operating Revenues Breakdown - Southern Power reported operating revenues of $417 million, significantly below the estimated $567.15 million, marking a year-over-year decline of 17.1% [4] - Southern Company Natural Gas generated $1.24 billion in operating revenues, exceeding the $1.15 billion estimate, but reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3.8% [4] - Georgia Power's operating revenues were $2.59 billion, surpassing the $2.37 billion estimate, with an increase of 11.8% year-over-year [4] - Mississippi Power reported $345 million in operating revenues, slightly below the $358.11 million estimate, with a year-over-year increase of 2.4% [4] - Other operating revenues reached $331 million, exceeding the $271.27 million estimate, representing a year-over-year increase of 15.3% [4] - Alabama Power's operating revenues were $1.75 billion, below the $1.82 billion estimate, with a year-over-year increase of 7.4% [4] Net Income Analysis - Southern Company Gas reported net income available to common of $185 million, significantly above the $115.74 million estimate [4] - Southern Power's net income available to common was $64 million, below the $112.16 million estimate [4] - Mississippi Power's net income available to common was $13 million, falling short of the $41.23 million estimate [4] - Alabama Power reported net income available to common of $208 million, exceeding the $129.54 million estimate [4] - Georgia Power's net income available to common was $294 million, significantly below the $448.47 million estimate [4]