Southern Company Is One of the Largest Utilities Companies by Market Cap. But Is It a Buy?

Core Insights - The utility industry is poised for growth, particularly in nuclear power, as AI and cloud computing drive increased electricity demand in the U.S. [1][4] - Southern Company, with a market capitalization of over $100 billion, is a significant player in the utility sector, providing a range of services including electric and gas utilities, telecommunications, and wholesale energy [2][10]. Nuclear Power Positioning - Southern Company is well-positioned in the nuclear sector, operating eight nuclear units across three plants, including the recently completed Vogtle Units 3 and 4, which are the first new commercial units built in the U.S. in nearly 30 years [6][7]. - The Vogtle Units took approximately 15 years to build and cost over $36 billion, positioning Southern Company advantageously as nuclear demand is expected to rise [7]. Financial Performance and Growth - Southern Company anticipates an 8% annualized load growth through 2029, translating to 5% to 7% annualized long-term earnings-per-share growth [10]. - The company has a strong dividend history, with 24 consecutive annual increases and a current dividend yield of 3.2% [11]. Investment Considerations - The stock's annualized investment returns could reach 8% to 10%, supported by its stable dividend and low beta of 0.38, indicating resilience during market downturns [12]. - Despite a recent stock price increase of about 16% over the past year, the current price-to-earnings ratio of 21 may not represent a bargain, suggesting a more attractive valuation could be around 17 to 18 times earnings [13][14].