Bank of Montreal (BMO)vsSouthern Company (SO)
BMO
Bank of Montreal
$136.39
-0.53%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $94.86B
SO
Southern Company
$94.61
+0.67%
UTILITIES · Cap: $105.91B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Bank of Montreal generates 13% more annual revenue ($33.48B vs $29.55B). BMO leads profitability with a 27.1% profit margin vs 14.7%. BMO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.46. BMO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).
BMO
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B+
SO
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+57.3%
Fair Value
$336.32
Current Price
$136.39
$199.93 discount
Margin of Safety
-254.9%
Fair Value
$26.66
Current Price
$94.61
$67.95 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 39.9%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 7.0B in free cash flow
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
No major concerns identified
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 22.1%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BMO
The strongest argument for BMO centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.1% and operating margin at 39.9%. PEG of 1.46 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 10.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : BMO
No major red flags identified for BMO, but monitor valuation.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
BMO profiles as a mature stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
BMO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.16 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 10.1% — sustainability is the question.
BMO generates stronger free cash flow (7.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
BMO scores higher overall (75/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 27.1% margins. 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.
Bank of Montreal
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Bank of Montreal offers diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
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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