SO Stock Declines 6% in Past 6 Months: Here's How to Play

Core Insights - Southern Company's shares have decreased by 5.9% over the past six months, contrasting with a 9.1% gain in the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry and a nearly 7.3% rise in the broader utility sector [1] Performance Comparison - Other industry operators like Ameren Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, and Dominion Energy have seen stock gains of 2%, 3.5%, and 4.5% respectively during the same period [2] Factors Driving Performance - Southern Company is experiencing significant large-load growth, securing 7 GW of contracted demand through 2029, with a pipeline exceeding 50 GW, ensuring durable earnings and cash-flow visibility [6] - The company benefits from a supportive regulatory environment in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, with rate stability plans extending until 2029, which enhances operational efficiency and lowers project risk [7] - A $76 billion capital investment plan through 2029 aims to modernize infrastructure and expand capacity, with projects already underway, providing long-term growth potential with low execution risk [9] - The Southeast region's economic growth is driving retail electricity sales, with commercial sales up 3.5% and an increase of 12,000 residential customers in the third quarter [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Southern Company's 2025 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 5.7% [11] - The current consensus estimates for EPS in the upcoming quarters and years show a positive growth trajectory, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 5.68% for the current year [12] Dividend Information - Southern Company has a strong dividend history, currently offering an annual dividend of $2.96 per share, yielding 3.4%, which is competitive compared to peers [13] - The company's dividend payout has increased by about 3% over the last five years, with a payout ratio of 70% of profits, indicating potential for future increases [15] Valuation - Southern Company is trading at a premium valuation of 18.7X forward price-to-earnings ratio, compared to the industry average of 14.8X [16] Summary - Southern Company is positioned for long-term growth due to a surge in large-load demand, a robust capital plan, and supportive regulations, despite its current underperformance relative to peers and a premium valuation [19][20]