WallStSmart

Allete Inc (ALE)vsSouthern Company (SO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Southern Company generates 1911% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $1.50B). SO leads profitability with a 14.5% profit margin vs 11.0%. SO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.53. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).

ALE

Hold

43

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 2.7Profit: 5.0Value: 4.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.01

SO

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 7.0Value: 3.3Quality: 2.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ALEOvervalued (-12.7%)

Margin of Safety

-12.7%

Fair Value

$60.26

Current Price

$67.90

$7.64 premium

UndervaluedFair: $60.26Overvalued
SOSignificantly Overvalued (-47.7%)

Margin of Safety

-47.7%

Fair Value

$62.70

Current Price

$92.60

$29.90 premium

UndervaluedFair: $62.70Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ALE1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

SO3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$102.01B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
25.8%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%

Areas to Watch

ALE4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
5.8%3/10

ROE of 5.8% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.572/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-7.9%2/10

Revenue declined 7.9%

SO4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.532/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-0.8%2/10

Earnings declined 0.8%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-1.72B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ALE

The strongest argument for ALE centers on Price/Book.

Bull Case : SO

The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin.

Bear Case : ALE

The primary concerns for ALE are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : SO

The primary concerns for SO are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth. Debt-to-equity of 2.05 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ALE profiles as a declining stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

ALE carries more volatility with a beta of 0.82 — expect wider price swings.

SO is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.

ALE generates stronger free cash flow (-174M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SO scores higher overall (56/100 vs 43/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Allete Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - DIVERSIFIED · USA

ALLETE, Inc. is an energy company. The company is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota.

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Southern Company

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA

Southern Company is an American gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama.

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