NextEra Energy (NEE) 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
NextEra Energy (NEE) has outperformed Southern (SO) over the past year, losing 7.6% versus a loss of 10.9%. Over five years, SO leads with a +36.1% price change compared with -5.9% for NEE. NextEra Energy is the larger company by market cap ($160.75 billion vs $98.29 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Southern is growing revenue faster (+10.6% vs +9.8%).
On valuation, Southern trades at a lower forward P/E (17.4x vs 17.6x for NextEra Energy). Southern offers the higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 3.09%). NextEra Energy converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.5% 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 | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $77.06 | $85.44 |
| Market cap | $160.75B | $98.29B |
| 1-day change | -1.05% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | -4.25% | -1.44% |
| 1-year return | -7.63% | -10.87% |
| 5-year return | -5.88% | +36.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.32 | 20.59 |
| Forward P/E | 17.55 | 17.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.45 | $4.15 |
| Dividend yield | 3.09% | 3.49% |
| Annual dividend | $2.38 | $2.98 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $25.80B | $29.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.79% | +10.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.83B | $4.34B |
| Operating margin | 32.09% | 24.65% |
| Net margin | 26.49% | 14.69% |
| 52-week high | $98.75 | $100.84 |
| 52-week low | $74.41 | $81.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.96% | -15.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.42% | +14.85% |
| Average volume | 11.31M | 5.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.09B | 1.15B |
| Employees | 17,400 | 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.
Key differences
- NextEra Energy is more profitable, keeping 26.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.7 cents for Southern.
About NextEra Energy
NEE stock →NextEra Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, generates, stores, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. It operates through Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NEER segments.
Utilities · Utilities - Regulated Electric · 17,400 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
NEE vs SO FAQ
Which is bigger, NextEra Energy or Southern?
NextEra Energy (NEE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $160.75B compared with $98.29B for Southern (SO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NEE or SO?
NEE returned -7.63% 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, NEE or SO?
NEE has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, 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, NextEra Energy or Southern?
Southern has the higher yield at 3.49%, compared with 3.09% for NextEra Energy.
Are NextEra Energy and Southern in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector.