FirstEnergy (FE) 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
FirstEnergy (FE) has outperformed Southern (SO) over the past year, losing 3.9% versus a loss of 11.4%. Over five years, SO leads with a +35.3% price change compared with +21.7% for FE. Southern is the larger company by market cap ($98.29 billion vs $25.80 billion), about 3.8 times the size, while FirstEnergy is growing revenue faster (+12.0% vs +10.6%).
On valuation, FirstEnergy trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 17.4x for Southern). FirstEnergy offers the higher dividend yield (4.04% vs 3.49%). Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.7% versus 6.8%.
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 | FE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $44.58 | $85.44 |
| Market cap | $25.80B | $98.29B |
| 1-day change | +0.72% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | -0.42% | -2.02% |
| 1-year return | -3.94% | -11.39% |
| 5-year return | +21.74% | +35.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.84 | 20.59 |
| Forward P/E | 15.12 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.87 | $4.15 |
| Dividend yield | 4.04% | 3.49% |
| Annual dividend | $1.80 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.09B | $29.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.01% | +10.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.02B | $4.34B |
| Operating margin | 14.62% | 24.65% |
| Net margin | 6.76% | 14.69% |
| 52-week high | $52.34 | $100.84 |
| 52-week low | $42.67 | $81.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.83% | -15.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.15% | +14.85% |
| Average volume | 4.28M | 5.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 578.64M | 1.15B |
| Employees | 11,186 | 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 3.8 times larger than FirstEnergy by market value ($98.29B vs $25.80B).
- Southern is more profitable, keeping 14.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.8 cents for FirstEnergy.
About FirstEnergy
FE stock →FirstEnergy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, distribution, and transmission of electricity in the United States. It operates through Distribution, Integrated, and Stand-Alone Transmission segments.
Utilities · Electric Utilities: Central · 11,186 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
FE vs SO FAQ
Which is bigger, FirstEnergy or Southern?
Southern (SO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.29B compared with $25.80B for FirstEnergy (FE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FE or SO?
FE returned -3.94% 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, FE or SO?
SO has the lower trailing P/E at 20.6, versus 23.8 for FE. 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, FirstEnergy or Southern?
FirstEnergy has the higher yield at 4.04%, compared with 3.49% for Southern.
Are FirstEnergy and Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electric Utilities: Central industry within the Utilities sector.