Southern Company (SO)vsXcel Energy Inc (XEL)
SO
Southern Company
$93.51
-2.49%
UTILITIES · Cap: $108.21B
XEL
Xcel Energy Inc
$80.55
-1.10%
UTILITIES · Cap: $51.54B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 104% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $14.78B). SO leads profitability with a 14.5% profit margin vs 14.1%. XEL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.33. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
SO
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
XEL
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-30.8%
Fair Value
$73.33
Current Price
$93.51
$20.18 premium
Intrinsic value data unavailable for XEL.
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 0.8%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
2.9% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin.
Bull Case : XEL
The strongest argument for XEL centers on Market Cap, Price/Book.
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, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
XEL carries more volatility with a beta of 0.44 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.
XEL generates stronger free cash flow (-1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
SO scores higher overall (56/100 vs 54/100). 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.
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