Southern Company (SO)vsXcel Energy Inc (XEL)
SO
Southern Company
$93.39
-2.95%
UTILITIES · Cap: $104.54B
XEL
Xcel Energy Inc
$76.77
-3.47%
UTILITIES · Cap: $47.90B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 101% more annual revenue ($29.55B vs $14.67B). SO leads profitability with a 14.7% profit margin vs 13.8%. XEL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.17. XEL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 62/100 (C+).
SO
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
XEL
Buy62
out of 100
Grade: C+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-250.3%
Fair Value
$26.66
Current Price
$93.39
$66.73 premium
Margin of Safety
+43.1%
Fair Value
$137.07
Current Price
$76.77
$60.30 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 20.8% YoY
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 22.1%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 10.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : XEL
The strongest argument for XEL centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 14.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : XEL
The primary concerns for XEL are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
XEL carries more volatility with a beta of 0.43 — expect wider price swings.
XEL is growing revenue faster at 14.1% — sustainability is the question.
SO generates stronger free cash flow (-1.9B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
XEL scores higher overall (62/100 vs 54/100) and 14.1% revenue growth. Both earn "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.
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.
Xcel Energy Inc
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA
Xcel Energy Inc. is a utility holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving more than 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico as of 2019. It consists of four operating subsidiaries: Northern States Power-Minnesota, Northern States Power-Wisconsin, Public Service Company of Colorado, and Southwestern Public Service Co.
Visit Website →Compare with Other UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?