Xcel Energy [XEL] vs Southern Company [SO] Detailed Stock Comparison
Xcel Energy
NASDAQ
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Southern Company
NYSE
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TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary
Based on 20 vital metrics comparison: Xcel Energy wins in 9 metrics, Southern Company wins in 11 metrics, with 0 ties. Southern Company appears stronger overall.
View Metrics Details
Vital Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Xcel Energy | Southern Company | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 20.32 | 23.84 | Xcel Energy |
| Price-to-Book Ratio | 2.07 | 2.98 | Xcel Energy |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio | 159.28 | 189.66 | Xcel Energy |
| PEG Ratio | 19.15 | 21.36 | Xcel Energy |
| EV/EBITDA | 13.70 | 13.05 | Southern Company |
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.85% | 15.10% | Southern Company |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 17.68% | 28.08% | Southern Company |
| EBITDA Margin (TTM) | 17.68% | 28.08% | Southern Company |
| Return on Equity | 10.65% | 11.23% | Southern Company |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.21% | 3.39% | Southern Company |
| Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $-2.72B | $833.00M | Southern Company |
| Dividend Yield | 3.83% | 2.44% | Xcel Energy |
| 1-Year Return | 13.91% | 2.88% | Xcel Energy |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.11 | 3.58 | Xcel Energy |
| Enterprise Value | $75.30B | $174.39B | Southern Company |
| EV/Revenue Ratio | 5.40 | 6.15 | Xcel Energy |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 47.43% | 50.05% | Southern Company |
| Revenue per Share (TTM) | $24 | $26 | Southern Company |
| Earnings per Share (Diluted) | $3.61 | $3.87 | Southern Company |
| Beta (Stock Volatility) | 0.36 | 0.39 | Xcel Energy |
Performance
News Sentiment
Key Stats
Valuation
Financials
Short Interest
Dividends
Xcel Energy vs Southern Company Stock Performance Analysis
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Performance Comparison
Short-term Returns
| Stock | 1D | 1W | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcel Energy | -1.29% | 1.81% | 1.56% | 9.37% | 4.42% | 9.26% |
| Southern Company | -1.00% | 1.60% | -1.90% | 3.76% | 1.92% | 12.44% |
Long-term Returns
| Stock | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | 15Y | 20Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcel Energy | 13.91% | 2.08% | 6.64% | 109.25% | 218.58% | 270.25% |
| Southern Company | 2.88% | 23.06% | 71.49% | 109.11% | 146.15% | 158.20% |
News Based Sentiment: Xcel Energy vs Southern Company
Xcel Energy
News based Sentiment: MIXED
September brought a mix of positive and negative developments for Xcel Energy. While the company continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and renewables, supported by growing institutional interest, mixed analyst ratings and an upcoming legal trial introduce uncertainty. This creates a balanced investment picture with both opportunities and risks.
Southern Company
News based Sentiment: MIXED
Southern Company experienced a mixed month with an earnings miss offset by revenue growth and positive long-term strategic initiatives. While the Q2 results were slightly disappointing, the company's commitment to shareholder returns and its plans to capitalize on growing energy demand from data centers and AI applications suggest continued, albeit moderate, growth potential. The mixed investor sentiment and potential for a Fed rate cut add complexity to the investment picture.
Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Xcel Energy vs Southern Company
| Metric | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Market Information | ||
| Market Cap | $43.38B | $101.50B |
| Market Cap Category | Large cap | Large cap |
| 10 Day Avg. Volume | 5,441,300 | 3,549,940 |
| 90 Day Avg. Volume | 4,228,623 | 4,318,320 |
| Last Close | $72.11 | $91.36 |
| 52 Week Range | $62.12 - $74.57 | $80.46 - $96.44 |
| % from 52W High | -3.30% | -5.27% |
| All-Time High | $77.66 (Sep 12, 2022) | $96.44 (Jul 22, 2025) |
| % from All-Time High | -7.15% | -5.27% |
| Growth Metrics | ||
| Quarterly Revenue Growth | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Quarterly Earnings Growth | 0.47% | -0.27% |
| Financial Health | ||
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 0.18% | 0.28% |
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.11% | 0.11% |
| Debt to Equity (MRQ) | 159.28 | 189.66 |
| Cash & Liquidity | ||
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $35.46 | $30.92 |
| Cash per Share (MRQ) | $2.48 | $1.15 |
| Operating Cash Flow (TTM) | $4.51B | $9.22B |
| Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $-4,188,499,968 | $-1,096,749,952 |
| Dividends | ||
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 3.83% | 2.44% |
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $2.81 | $2.16 |
Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: Xcel Energy vs Southern Company
| Metric | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Price Ratios | ||
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 20.32 | 23.84 |
| Forward P/E | 19.15 | 21.36 |
| PEG Ratio | 19.15 | 21.36 |
| Price to Sales (TTM) | 3.11 | 3.58 |
| Price to Book (MRQ) | 2.07 | 2.98 |
| Market Capitalization | ||
| Market Capitalization | $43.38B | $101.50B |
| Enterprise Value | $75.30B | $174.39B |
| Enterprise Value Metrics | ||
| Enterprise to Revenue | 5.40 | 6.15 |
| Enterprise to EBITDA | 13.70 | 13.05 |
| Risk & Other Metrics | ||
| Beta | 0.36 | 0.39 |
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $35.46 | $30.92 |
Financial Statements Comparison: Xcel Energy vs Southern Company
Financial Metrics
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Revenue
EBITDA
Operating Margin
Free Cash Flow
Long Term Debt
Profit Margin
Current Ratio
Operating Cash Flow
Income Statement (MRQ)
| Metric (MRQ) | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue/Sales | $3.91B | $6.97B |
| Cost of Goods Sold | $2.22B | $3.48B |
| Gross Profit | $1.69B | $3.49B |
| Research & Development | N/A | N/A |
| Operating Income (EBIT) | $677.00M | $1.76B |
| EBITDA | $1.45B | $3.39B |
| Pre-Tax Income | $422.00M | $1.14B |
| Income Tax | $-61.00M | $289.00M |
| Net Income (Profit) | $483.00M | $853.00M |
Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics (MRQ)
| Metric (MRQ) | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Equivalents | $1.12B | $2.33B |
| Total Current Assets | $5.37B | $11.82B |
| Total Current Liabilities | $6.74B | $13.77B |
| Long-Term Debt | $30.29B | $64.24B |
| Total Shareholders Equity | $19.80B | $37.22B |
| Retained Earnings | $8.71B | $14.29B |
| Property, Plant & Equipment | $2.81B | $3.01B |
Cash Flow Statement Comparison (MRQ)
| Metric (MRQ) | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Cash Flow | $1.00B | $1.94B |
| Capital Expenditures | N/A | $-2.44B |
| Free Cash Flow | $-960.00M | $-1.19B |
| Debt Repayment | N/A | $-876.00M |
| Common Stock Repurchase | N/A | N/A |
Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis
| Metric | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Shares Short | 14.53M | 34.80M |
| Short Ratio | 3.97 | 6.85 |
| Short % of Float | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Average Daily Volume (10 Day) | 5,441,300 | 3,549,940 |
| Average Daily Volume (90 Day) | 4,228,623 | 4,318,320 |
| Shares Outstanding | 574.37M | 1.10B |
| Float Shares | 589.75M | 1.10B |
| % Held by Insiders | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| % Held by Institutions | 0.90% | 0.72% |
Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: Xcel Energy vs Southern Company
| Metric | XEL | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12-Month Dividend | $2.81 | $2.16 |
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | 3.83% | 2.44% |
| 3-Year Avg Annual Dividend | $2.32 | $2.34 |
| 3-Year Avg Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 0.93% |
| 3-Year Total Dividends | $6.97 | $7.02 |
| Ex-Dividend Date | Sep 15, 2025 | Feb 18, 2025 |