Entergy (ETR) vs Southern (SO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Entergy (ETR) has outperformed Southern (SO) over the past year, gaining 7.1% versus a loss of 11.4%. Over five years, ETR leads with a +101.1% price change compared with +35.3% for SO. Southern is the larger company by market cap ($98.29 billion vs $49.12 billion), about 2.0 times the size.
On valuation, Southern trades at a lower forward P/E (17.4x vs 20.1x for Entergy). Southern offers the higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 2.45%). Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.7% versus 13.7%.
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 | ETR | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $102.80 | $85.44 |
| Market cap | $49.12B | $98.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.44% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | +11.22% | -2.02% |
| 1-year return | +7.11% | -11.39% |
| 5-year return | +101.08% | +35.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.29 | 20.59 |
| Forward P/E | 20.14 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.91 | $4.15 |
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 3.49% |
| Annual dividend | $2.52 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.95B | $29.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.98% | +10.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.77B | $4.34B |
| Operating margin | 24.73% | 24.65% |
| Net margin | 13.70% | 14.69% |
| 52-week high | $118.45 | $100.84 |
| 52-week low | $90.87 | $81.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.21% | -15.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.95% | +14.85% |
| Average volume | 2.68M | 5.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 477.78M | 1.15B |
| Employees | 12,000 | 29,502 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | 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 2.0 times larger than Entergy by market value ($98.29B vs $49.12B).
- ETR has outperformed SO by 18.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Entergy trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.3x vs 20.6x trailing P/E).
- Southern offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 2.45%).
About Entergy
ETR stock →Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 12,000 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
ETR vs SO FAQ
Which is bigger, Entergy or Southern?
Southern (SO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.29B compared with $49.12B for Entergy (ETR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ETR or SO?
ETR returned +7.11% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.39% for SO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ETR or SO?
SO has the lower trailing P/E at 20.6, versus 26.3 for ETR. 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, Entergy or Southern?
Southern has the higher yield at 3.49%, compared with 2.45% for Entergy.
Are Entergy and Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.