Duke Energy (Holding) (DUK) vs Southern (SO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Duke Energy (Holding) (DUK) has outperformed Southern (SO) over the past year, losing 7.7% versus a loss of 10.9%. Over five years, SO leads with a +36.1% price change compared with +15.5% for DUK. Southern is the larger company by market cap ($98.29 billion vs $90.06 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Duke Energy (Holding) trades at a lower forward P/E (16.1x vs 17.4x for Southern). Duke Energy (Holding) offers the higher dividend yield (3.69% vs 3.49%). Duke Energy (Holding) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.7% versus 14.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | DUK | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $115.50 | $85.44 |
| Market cap | $90.06B | $98.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.14% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | -1.14% | -1.44% |
| 1-year return | -7.71% | -10.87% |
| 5-year return | +15.47% | +36.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.39 | 20.59 |
| Forward P/E | 16.11 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.64 | $4.15 |
| Dividend yield | 3.69% | 3.49% |
| Annual dividend | $4.26 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $31.74B | $29.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.63% | +10.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.97B | $4.34B |
| Operating margin | 27.18% | 24.65% |
| Net margin | 15.65% | 14.69% |
| 52-week high | $134.49 | $100.84 |
| 52-week low | $112.40 | $81.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.12% | -15.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.84% | +14.85% |
| Average volume | 4.08M | 5.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 779.70M | 1.15B |
| Employees | 26,441 | 29,502 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Utilities - Regulated Electric | Utilities - Regulated Electric |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
About Duke Energy (Holding)
DUK stock →Duke Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I); and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I).
Utilities · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 26,441 employees
About Southern
SO stock →The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of electricity. The company offers electric service to retail customers and wholesale customers; and energy-related products and services to natural gas choice markets.
Utilities · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 29,502 employees
DUK vs SO FAQ
Which is bigger, Duke Energy (Holding) or Southern?
Southern (SO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.29B compared with $90.06B for Duke Energy (Holding) (DUK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DUK or SO?
DUK returned -7.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.87% for SO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DUK or SO?
DUK has the lower trailing P/E at 17.4, versus 20.6 for SO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Duke Energy (Holding) or Southern?
Duke Energy (Holding) has the higher yield at 3.69%, compared with 3.49% for Southern.
Are Duke Energy (Holding) and Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector.