WallStSmart

Arista Networks (ANET)vsSouthern Company (SO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Southern Company generates 235% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $9.01B). ANET leads profitability with a 39.0% profit margin vs 14.5%. ANET appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.40. ANET earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

ANET

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 7.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 3.53

SO

Buy

56

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 7.0Value: 3.3Quality: 5.0
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ANETUndervalued (+70.4%)

Margin of Safety

+70.4%

Fair Value

$449.02

Current Price

$172.62

$276.40 discount

UndervaluedFair: $449.02Overvalued
SOSignificantly Overvalued (-30.8%)

Margin of Safety

-30.8%

Fair Value

$73.33

Current Price

$95.99

$22.66 premium

UndervaluedFair: $73.33Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ANET6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$217.46B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
31.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 31 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
41.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.5%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.5310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
28.9%8/10

Revenue surging 28.9% year-over-year

SO3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$108.21B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
3.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
25.8%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%

Areas to Watch

ANET4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.404/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
17.5x4/10

Trading at 17.5x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
62.8x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

SO3 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.752/10

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 : ANET

The strongest argument for ANET centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.0% and operating margin at 41.5%. Revenue growth of 28.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : SO

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

Bear Case : ANET

The primary concerns for ANET are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 62.8x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : SO

The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ANET profiles as a growth stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

ANET carries more volatility with a beta of 1.67 — expect wider price swings.

ANET is growing revenue faster at 28.9% — sustainability is the question.

ANET generates stronger free cash flow (1.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ANET scores higher overall (68/100 vs 56/100), backed by strong 39.0% margins and 28.9% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

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

Arista Networks

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Arista Networks (formerly Arastra) is an American computer networking company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The company designs and sells multilayer network switches to deliver software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for large datacenter, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and high-frequency trading environments.

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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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