Southern Co forecasts annual profit below estimates, raises spending plan

Core Insights - Southern Company forecasts annual profit below analysts' estimates and raises its five-year spending plan to support increasing power demands from large-load customers [1] Financial Performance - For the quarter ended December 31, Southern Company reported an adjusted profit of 55 cents per share, which is below the analysts' expectation of 57 cents [1] - Operating expenses increased by 14.7% during the quarter, while revenue rose by 10% [1] Spending Plans - Southern Company plans to spend approximately $81 billion from 2026 through 2030, an increase from its previous five-year plan of $76 billion [1] - The utility has contracted 10 gigawatts of large load customers, including major companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Compass Datacenters [1] Market Position - Southern Company serves 9 million customers and ranks as the second-largest utility in the U.S., operating in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia [1]