Consolidated Edison (ED) 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
Consolidated Edison (ED) has outperformed Southern (SO) over the past year, gaining 5.1% versus a loss of 10.9%. Over five years, ED leads with a +41.1% price change compared with +36.1% for SO. Southern is the larger company by market cap ($98.29 billion vs $38.70 billion), about 2.5 times the size, while Consolidated Edison is growing revenue faster (+10.9% vs +10.6%).
On valuation, Consolidated Edison trades at a lower forward P/E (16.1x vs 17.4x for Southern). Southern offers the higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 3.32%). Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.7% versus 12.0%.
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 | ED | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $104.64 | $85.44 |
| Market cap | $38.70B | $98.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.46% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | +5.82% | -1.44% |
| 1-year return | +5.06% | -10.87% |
| 5-year return | +41.14% | +36.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.96 | 20.59 |
| Forward P/E | 16.10 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.17 | $4.15 |
| Dividend yield | 3.32% | 3.49% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.92B | $29.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.89% | +10.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.02B | $4.34B |
| Operating margin | 17.35% | 24.65% |
| Net margin | 11.96% | 14.69% |
| 52-week high | $116.23 | $100.84 |
| 52-week low | $94.96 | $81.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.97% | -15.27% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.49% | +14.85% |
| Average volume | 2.20M | 5.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 369.83M | 1.15B |
| Employees | 15,407 | 29,502 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Power Generation | Electric Utilities: Central |
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.
Key differences
- Southern is about 2.5 times larger than Consolidated Edison by market value ($98.29B vs $38.70B).
- ED has outperformed SO by 15.9 percentage points over the past year.
About Consolidated Edison
ED stock →Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. The company offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,490 customers in parts of Manhattan.
Utilities · Power Generation · 15,407 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 · Electric Utilities: Central · 29,502 employees
ED vs SO FAQ
Which is bigger, Consolidated Edison or Southern?
Southern (SO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.29B compared with $38.70B for Consolidated Edison (ED).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ED or SO?
ED returned +5.06% 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, ED or SO?
ED has the lower trailing P/E at 17.0, 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, Consolidated Edison or Southern?
Southern has the higher yield at 3.49%, compared with 3.32% for Consolidated Edison.
Are Consolidated Edison and Southern in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Power Generation for Consolidated Edison and Electric Utilities: Central for Southern.