Southern (SO) vs Xcel Energy (XEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Southern (SO) has outperformed Xcel Energy (XEL) over the past year, losing 10.9% versus a loss of 11.0%. Over five years, SO leads with a +36.1% price change compared with +10.5% for XEL. Southern is the larger company by market cap ($98.29 billion vs $45.24 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Xcel Energy trades at a lower forward P/E (16.0x vs 17.4x for Southern). Southern offers the higher dividend yield (3.49% vs 3.21%). Southern converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.7% versus 13.8%.
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 | SO | XEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $85.44 | $72.42 |
| Market cap | $98.29B | $45.24B |
| 1-day change | 0.00% | -0.43% |
| YTD return | -1.44% | -1.39% |
| 1-year return | -10.87% | -11.02% |
| 5-year return | +36.13% | +10.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.59 | 19.84 |
| Forward P/E | 17.35 | 15.96 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.15 | $3.65 |
| Dividend yield | 3.49% | 3.21% |
| Annual dividend | $2.98 | $2.33 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $29.55B | $14.67B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.59% | +9.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.34B | $2.02B |
| Operating margin | 24.65% | 17.61% |
| Net margin | 14.69% | 13.76% |
| 52-week high | $100.84 | $84.23 |
| 52-week low | $81.69 | $68.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.27% | -14.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.85% | +25.12% |
| Average volume | 5.67M | 5.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.15B | 624.63M |
| Employees | 29,502 | 11,534 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Electric Utilities: Central | Power Generation |
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 2.2 times larger than Xcel Energy by market value ($98.29B vs $45.24B).
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
About Xcel Energy
XEL stock →Xcel Energy Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas delivery company in the United States. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility and Regulated Natural Gas Utility segments.
Utilities · Power Generation · 11,534 employees
SO vs XEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Southern or Xcel Energy?
Southern (SO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.29B compared with $45.24B for Xcel Energy (XEL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SO or XEL?
SO returned -10.87% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.02% for XEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SO or XEL?
XEL has the lower trailing P/E at 19.8, 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, Southern or Xcel Energy?
Southern has the higher yield at 3.49%, compared with 3.21% for Xcel Energy.
Are Southern and Xcel Energy in the same industry?
Both are in the Utilities sector, but in different industries: Electric Utilities: Central for Southern and Power Generation for Xcel Energy.